FORD to release 'nanna state' limited cars 2010

bdave351 · 15-12-2008, 12:26 PM

In October, Ford unveiled a "MyKey" device which allows parents to control how fast their teenagers drive, limits the volume on the car radio and makes sure their seat belts are fastened.

Ford said that it will be a standard feature starting next year on the 2010 Ford Focus and other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/st...014239,00.html

Comments?
Yet another growing form of cant take responsibility for your own actions?
Pressure from political lobby looking to be seen to be doing something rather than making a real effort to improve driving standards?

**cs123** · 15-12-2008, 12:33 PM

I can't see a problem with parents limiting the performance of cars they own when their kids use them.

Buzz Box · 15-12-2008, 12:33 PM

Can I buy the key to take on the train?? Oh god no phones going off what piece lol

GTP owner · 15-12-2008, 12:33 PM

I won't be buying one

mowog · 15-12-2008, 12:37 PM

I got an XR4 as the family run about because it had good safety features and a reasonable level of performance. Sometimes a slow car can be dangerous...

But if the main family car is something like an XR6 Turbo then an option to reduce power to N/A levels when the kids drive would be a good thing.

bdave351 · 15-12-2008, 12:43 PM

Its a very very small step though from this limit being optional when you feel like it to being mandatory all the time.

Harold the Pedestrian will be able to scream after some P plater dies being a tool in a wrx car chase and says this has been proven to save lives so should be mandatory etc and a short campaign later and its switched on.

Sorry Im being very cynical recently but Im losing faith in our Govts idea on democracy.

GTP owner · 15-12-2008, 12:48 PM

If it safe for p platers, then maybe we should apply it to all drivers......

XRQTR · 15-12-2008, 01:02 PM

Seeing as most road deaths and accidents involving younger drivers have speed/concentration as a major contributing factor I really don't see an issue with taking speed out of the equation. Also by limiting the sound level from the stereo maybe they will actually hear the Ambo's behind them trying to get past.

I mean the power restrictions that were supposed to stop young drivers from driving high powered cars obviously haven't worked as so many use the "only car" exception.

4Vman · 15-12-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRQTR

Seeing as most road deaths and accidents involving younger drivers have speed/concentration as a major contributing factor I really don't see an issue with taking speed out of the equation. Also by limiting the sound level from the stereo maybe they will actually hear the Ambo's behind them trying to get past.

I mean the power restrictions that were supposed to stop young drivers from driving high powered cars obviously haven't worked as so many use the "only car" exception.

I think the fact that many drivers ignore (or gain exemption for) the power restrictions is an enforcement issue, not so much "failure" of the rule itself..

In much the same way you can argue the reason speed camera's aren't working is because people keep ignoring them by speeding and getting booked!

As for the feature as an "option" i don't see a problem...

XRQTR · 15-12-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I think the fact that many drivers ignore (or gain exemption for) the power restrictions is an enforcement issue, not so much "failure" of the rule itself..

How is not a failure of the rule if the rule itself allows for exemptions to the rule.

4Vman · 15-12-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRQTR

How is not a failure of the rule if the rule itself allows for exemptions to the rule.

The failure in my eyes is the enforcement of the "rule", not the rule itself...
You make a good point though, it needs to be policed more and enforced without loop holes....

89.SVO · 18-12-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRQTR

Seeing as most road deaths and accidents involving younger drivers have speed/concentration as a major contributing factor I really don't see an issue with taking speed out of the equation. Also by limiting the sound level from the stereo maybe they will actually hear the Ambo's behind them trying to get past.

I mean the power restrictions that were supposed to stop young drivers from driving high powered cars obviously haven't worked as so many use the "only car" exception.

what a load of crap. then there is the other side of the scale. old pricks going to slow and not paying attention. old people can't drive for

**GasoLane** · 20-12-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILDEB

what a load of crap. then there is the other side of the scale. old pricks going to slow and not paying attention. old people can't drive for

Define 'old'...to a 4 year old anyone over 9 is old

Marduk · 20-12-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Define 'old'...to a 4 year old anyone over 9 is old

Drivers over 65 are more likely to be involved in a fatal accident per km driven then any other age group.

89.SVO · 21-12-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Define 'old'...to a 4 year old anyone over 9 is old

over 50

Fev · 15-12-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP owner

If it safe for p platers, then maybe we should apply it to all drivers......

only problem then would be anything with over 100kw's would be obsolete..

kocho · 15-12-2008, 01:09 PM

Why do we need road cars that go over 130km/h anyway?

flappist · 15-12-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kocho

Why do we need road cars that go over 130km/h anyway?

Spoken like a true city boy. Well apart from the 130 limit in NT there are many many occaisions when a short burst of speed is needed to avoid a dangerous situation in rural and regional areas.

e.g. You are overtaking a truck or line of trucks with the sun behind you and a vehicle pops over the hill in the distance coming toward you.

Do you immediately brake causing chaos behind you for anyone following and scaing the hell out of the trucks who have no idea what you are about to do.
OR
Do you just sit on 100 and hope and pray that you do not have a head on killing several people because it is better to be dead than to speed.
OR
Do you never overtake so that you along with several other idiots cause such an inconvenience and chaos to normal road users that there ends up being a multi car pileup with many many dead.
OR
Do you put your foot down and get past the trucks and then slow back to the limit?

Smoke Pursuit · 15-12-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Spoken like a true city boy. Well apart from the 130 limit in NT there are many many occaisions when a short burst of speed is needed to avoid a dangerous situation in rural and regional areas.

e.g. You are overtaking a truck or line of trucks with the sun behind you and a vehicle pops over the hill in the distance coming toward you.

Do you immediately brake causing chaos behind you for anyone following and scaing the hell out of the trucks who have no idea what you are about to do.
OR
Do you just sit on 100 and hope and pray that you do not have a head on killing several people because it is better to be dead than to speed.
OR
Do you never overtake so that you along with several other idiots cause such an inconvenience and chaos to normal road users that there ends up being a multi car pileup with many many dead.
OR
Do you put your foot down and get past the trucks and then slow back to the limit?

I travel country highways on a regular basis, if you need to do over 130 to safely overtake a truck then your trying too hard my friend... Laws are laws and while i doubt any of us stick to 100 exceeding 130 is overkill as you are not giving yourself enough space...

DOC · 16-12-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Do you put your foot down and get past the trucks and then slow back to the limit?

Been there done that, got booked for speeding, any explanation regarding saftey was pointless, he had his ticket and was happy.

XR6_661 · 15-12-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kocho

Why do we need road cars that go over 130km/h anyway?

1/4 Mile =)

ltd_on20s · 15-12-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kocho

Why do we need road cars that go over 130km/h anyway?

why do we need gyms when you can ride a bike to be fit?

why do we have many different manufacturers?

why do we have motorbikes with anything from 40cc to 1400cc +?

why do we have freddo frogs when we all know caramello koalas are the best?

simple. because of choice. we have the choice to buy what we want.
wether the car can do over 130 or not is irellevant. thats where the operators responsibilities come in.
how many people on here have done there cars up with 350/450+ hp? i doubt its so they can flog it down a main road at above 130kph......

kocho · 15-12-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltd_on20s

why do we need gyms when you can ride a bike to be fit?

why do we have many different manufacturers?

why do we have motorbikes with anything from 40cc to 1400cc +?

why do we have freddo frogs when we all know caramello koalas are the best?

simple. because of choice. we have the choice to buy what we want.
wether the car can do over 130 or not is irellevant. thats where the operators responsibilities come in.
how many people on here have done there cars up with 350/450+ hp? i doubt its so they can flog it down a main road at above 130kph......

What? Most of those comments are irrelevant. They aren't even similar to speed restriction.

I understand the choice aspect which you are trying explain, but if Australia is limited to 130km/h then why have cars that can go faster?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Spoken like a true city boy. Well apart from the 130 limit in NT there are many many occaisions when a short burst of speed is needed to avoid a dangerous situation in rural and regional areas.

e.g. You are overtaking a truck or line of trucks with the sun behind you and a vehicle pops over the hill in the distance coming toward you.

Do you immediately brake causing chaos behind you for anyone following and scaing the hell out of the trucks who have no idea what you are about to do.
OR
Do you just sit on 100 and hope and pray that you do not have a head on killing several people because it is better to be dead than to speed.
OR
Do you never overtake so that you along with several other idiots cause such an inconvenience and chaos to normal road users that there ends up being a multi car pileup with many many dead.
OR
Do you put your foot down and get past the trucks and then slow back to the limit?

Ahaha. Acceleration is different to limiting speed. I've driven in the country plenty of times. If you are stuck behind someone, what do you (well maybe not YOU) do? You wait until its safe to overtake. So, if you are limited to 130km/h and you are in the NT for example then this truck your talking about must be doing slower than 130km/h for you to be able to catch up to them let alone overtake. If they are going slower, then you've got enough to overtake, don't you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAGTp001

Oh dear i think you need to trade that Falcon for a Toyota. I see you have some mods to, why????

You're probably right. I'm not as hardcore as you... Boohoo.

Some of you are just thinking of yourselves as opposed to the majority of society. I'm sure some of you are safe drivers but you've got to remember, some aren't. How many people are on drugs or boozing it up behind the wheel? I'd rather not be involved in a street race where I or another innocent person ends up dead because they are 'thrilled' to be racing at 170km/h or whatever.

Rock ape · 15-12-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kocho

Why do we need road cars that go over 130km/h anyway?

Oh dear i think you need to trade that Falcon for a Toyota. I see you have some mods to, why????

Ohio XB · 15-12-2008, 02:27 PM

Ford has been getting a lot of positive feedback on this feature. It only limits top speed (to my knowledge) and does not hamper acceleration for when it is needed.

How many here are parents of teenagers? I think I might have used this technology if it was available when my son was a teenager.

As for texting while driving, talking on cell phones, I have read several times about the distraction being as detrimental as being intoxicated. I cannot believe anyone texting while driving, yet it happens all the time.

Steve

GTP owner · 15-12-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fev

only problem then would be anything with over 100kw's would be obsolete..

Sorry, i was being sarcastic.
If the wowsers had their way, we would only be driving buzz boxes, but i know that i would not be buying one.
As for the argument about turning stereos down, then how about banning deaf people, or perhaps old people with less than perfect hearing?

Smoke Pursuit · 15-12-2008, 01:05 PM

Its a good idea, even if you can speed limit the car to 120 I cant see the safety issue then, they can still safely overtake etc when they need to.

5.4 GT · 15-12-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdave351

In October, Ford unveiled a "MyKey" device which allows parents to control how fast their teenagers drive, limits the volume on the car radio and makes sure their seat belts are fastened.

Shouldn't this be a mandatory feature for Ford to implement rather than just limit it to their parental control program of teens? I know in some states it's not required that you wear a seatbelt (how ridiculous is that rule... thats the land of the free for you), but this may help change that rule if the car requires you to wear it before moving.

burnz · 15-12-2008, 02:26 PM

i can see the RTA with Mykey's. (i see more sales for holden)

Bucknaked · 15-12-2008, 02:31 PM

Just like valet mode on your flash tuner.