As reported by Autoblog, Ford has introduced the MyKey, and it will be standard on 2010 Ford Coupe. The my key system is simple: there are two types of keys for every Ford Coupe, one which allows full control of everything, and one which engages a set of preset limitations (I think the traditional computer terms of “master” and “slave” better describe these two types of keys). This means that parents can have the key that gives them full control of everything in their car, and they can give their teenagers the “slave” key, thereby limiting what the teens can do with the car.
The extent of this technology is extremely broad. Parents can limit just about anything controlled by a car computer (which on a modern car, is almost everything except your lug nuts). That includes top speed, ability to turn traction control off, beeps when the car reaches a certain speed, and even the maximum volume the radio can be turned to. The volume of your radio is NOT a safety concern of anyone. Sorry, try again.
Proponents say that such technology can be used to keep teens safer. They are WRONG. This is NOT about safety, but entirely about control. As I have said before, the problem with teenager drivers is that they are not taught how to drive, and then are infantalized to the point where their ability to act like their older counterparts is completely eroded. Setting a top speed governor for you child is completely irrelevant if they have not been taught what to do in an emergency situation. If they do not know how to react and how to drive a car when it matters, 40 mph is just as dangerous as 100 mph.
on October 7, 2008 at 2:21 pm Hass2 wrote:
Now I agree that parents do fall short when teaching their kids the fundamentals of driving. And yes, it is about control , as it should be. Teens often don’t think logically while driving and lack the simple common sense of what to do and what not to do in any situation dealing with driving, hence relying on “fight” or “flight” reactions instead of learned reactions. As you said, “if they do not know how to react and how to drive a car when it matters, 40 mph is just as dangerous as 100 mph.” Given that, they really don’t need any other distractions compounding the situation; loud radio or speeding. So, governing the speed and the volume or power “on” of the radio, is great, especially for emergency services (EMR, FD, and so on).
on October 8, 2008 at 11:30 am Noah wrote:
I have to reject your argument, Hass, as it presupposes everything that I think is wrong with the way teenagers are treated by society in general, and specifically by things like MyKey. Teenagers are perfectly capable of making basic decisions in all areas of their life, and driving is no exception. By continuous infantalizing them, as with things like MyKey, teenagers are kept under the proverbial rock, and OF COURSE they do not act like “mature adult.” They CAN’T because their are too many restrictions on them. Your proposition that MyKey is a good thing merely reinforces the notion that teens should are inherently immature, and thus the cycle continues. It is not even a band-aid, it is like throwing salt on an open wound.