Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Detroit News that Ford's research showed parents would be more likely to let teens use their vehicles with My Key. If it gets them the car more often, the number of teens objecting drops by nearly half. Of course, since a My Key crack will be available on the web about three minutes after the first one hits the showroom floor, we're pretty sure most teens aren't sweating the idea too much. In the meantime, the new feature seems like a smart way for Ford to score sales consideration points with the parents actually doing the car buying. Press release follows.

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6, 2008 – Ford Motor Company is introducing an innovative new technology – called MyKey – designed to help parents encourage their teen-agers to drive safer and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety-belt usage.

Ford's MyKey feature – which debuts next year as standard equipment on the 2010 Focus coupe and will quickly become standard on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models – allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle's top speed and audio volume. MyKey also encourages safety-belt usage, provides earlier low-fuel warnings and can be programmed to sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 miles per hour.

"Ford not only offers industry-leading crash protection and crash avoidance systems, we also are committed to developing new technologies such as MyKey that encourage safer driving behavior," said Susan Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "MyKey can help promote safer driving, particularly among teens, by encouraging seat belt use, limiting speed and reducing distractions."

MyKey is appealing to parents of teen drivers, including 75 percent who like the speed-limiting feature, 72 percent who like the more insistent safety-belt reminder, and 63 percent who like the audio limit feature, according to a recent Harris Interactive Survey conducted for Ford.

About 50 percent of those who would consider purchasing MyKey also said they would allow their children to use the family vehicle more often if it were equipped with the new technology. The added seat time can help teens build their driving skills in a more controlled setting, complementing graduated licensing laws that give young drivers more driving freedom as they get older.

More than half of parents surveyed worry that their teen-age children are driving at unsafe speeds, talking on hand-held cell phones or texting while driving, or otherwise driving distracted. More than a third of parents also are concerned that their teens do not always buckle their safety belts when driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), teens are more likely to take risks such as speeding – a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes. Teens also are less likely to wear safety belts than older drivers.

Teens surveyed by Harris said they are largely open to MyKey if it means they will have more freedom to drive. Initially, 67 percent of teens polled said they wouldn't want MyKey features. However, if using MyKey would lead to greater driving privileges, only 36 percent would object to the technology.

"We've upgraded an existing, proven technology – the SecuriLock passive anti-theft system – with some simple software upgrades to develop a new unique feature that we believe will resonate with customers," said Jim Buczkowski, director, Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering – the same team that developed SYNC in partnership with Microsoft. "We also developed MyKey's functions in such a way to quickly spread it across multiple vehicle lines, giving us the ability to go mass market in the spirit of other Ford innovations such as safety belts, stability control and SYNC."

Holding the key

The MyKey system allows the parent to program any key through the vehicle message center, which updates the SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system. When the MyKey is inserted into the ignition, the system reads the transponder chip in the key and immediately identifies the MyKey code, which enables certain default driving modes, including:

* Persistent Ford Beltminder™ with audio mute. Ford's Beltminder system typically provides a six-second reminder chime every minute for five minutes. With MyKey, the Beltminder chime continues at the regular interval and the audio system is muted until the safety belt is buckled. A message center display "Buckle Up to Unmute Radio" also appears on the instrument cluster.

* Earlier low-fuel warning. Rather than a warning at 50 miles to empty, MyKey provides a warning at 75 miles to empty.

* If MyKey is in the ignition, features such as Park Aid and BLISTM (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert cannot be deactivated.

Additional MyKey features that can be programmed through the vehicle's message center setup menu:

* Limited top speed of 80 mph
* Traction control system, that limits tire spin, cannot be deactivated
* Limited audio volume to 44 percent of total volume
* A speed alert chime at 45, 55 or 65 mph

Using MyKey to teach teens to avoid speeding can provide an added benefit – improved fuel economy. Ford research shows that driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph consumes 15 percent less fuel, and mastering other eco-driving habits such as avoiding jackrabbit starts and excessive idling can help improve fuel economy by more than 50 percent.

Safety is the key

MyKey is just one way that Ford is helping teens drive more safely. Ford Motor Company Fund's Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program helps young motorists master four critical driving skills – hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management, and speed management – that help address the majority of dangerous driving conditions. More than 3,000 teens have participated in DSFL ride-and-drive events. And more than 500,000 people have used the training course since 2003 on www.drivingskillsforlife.com.

[Ford via Detroit News]

California
Younger than 18

• Complete ban on communication devices: includes cell phone handsets, hands-free headsets, integrated vehicle speakerphone systems, text messaging, etc.
  
• If you're caught using any kind of a communication device it's a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for every subsequent offense
  
• Offenses will go on your record, but not count as points against your license
  
• Emergency calls for police, fire or medical help are permitted
  
• Use of a hands-free device is a secondary offense, meaning an officer can't pull you over for that reason alone; use of a handset is a primary offense, and officers can pull you over for that reason alone

18 and older

• Ban on handset use
  
• Hands-free devices are permitted, including Bluetooth headsets (as long as both ears aren't covered), speakerphone systems, cell phone speakerphones, etc.
  
• Text messaging is permitted, but if you are pulled over and the officer thinks you were distracted, you could be ticketed
  
• The first offense results in a $20 fine and each subsequent offense results in a $50 fine
  
• Offenses will go on your record, but not count as points against your license
  
• Dialing on the handset is permitted, but strongly discouraged
  
• Push-to-talk cell phone systems (similar to two-way radios) are not permitted; they are only permitted for commercial truck drivers not in pick-up trucks
  
• Emergency calls for police, fire or medical help are allowed

Washington

• Ban on handset use (a complete text messaging ban has been in effect since January 1)
  
• Hands-free devices are permitted, including Bluetooth headsets, wired headsets, speakerphones, Bluetooth speakerphones, etc.
  
• Exceptions to the law include emergency use, emergency vehicle operators, tow truck operators or a hearing-impaired person using a hearing aid
  
• The hands-free and text messaging bans are both secondary violations, meaning an officer can't stop you for that reason alone
  
• Fines can be as much as $124

Options
There are plenty of options that comply with the new driving laws in California and Washington, most of which are cheaper than the fines associated with violations.

Cell phone speakerphone
This is the cheapest option in most cases. Many cell phones have an integrated speakerphone that can be activated with a push of a button. Just be careful about holding it too close to your ear.

Wired headset
Wired headsets are a dying breed, but remain one of the cheapest and easiest options. Many cell phones include a wired headset out of the box, but for those that don't, one can be purchased for cheap. Like less than $10 cheap.

Wireless headsets
This most commonly means Bluetooth headsets. For driving purposes, these are some of the safest to use because you can push a button on the headset to answer the call and hang up. They also provide great clarity and are easy to transport. Be warned that if you wear the headset outside of the vehicle, many people will think you are a douchebag.

Third-party speakerphone
Third-party speakerphones include those manufactured by companies like Motorola as well as those already integrated into your car. The Ford Sync is just one example of an in-car system that includes a Bluetooth speakerphone.

It's also modular and can be built-to-order to match the needs of any commuter. The prices range from $150 to $330 and it's not necessarily the safest of additions to your vehicle, but hey, if the police can handle driving while playing solitaire, why can't the average cubicle Joe? [Product Page via AMG]

The IBM system, which goes by the name of "Artificial Passenger," can use touch-sensitive controls to perform basic functions throughout the vehicle like rolling down the windows, controlling the media player and answering the phone. The camera mounted in the middle of the steering wheel can perform similar functions by reading the lips of the driver. But the real fun with this system is the beatbox integration.

Think of it like Guitar Hero on your steering wheel. The touch controls are at 10 and 2, where your hands should be regardless, allowing you can tap out beats with the accompanying music. Redundant controls and a lip-reading camera are also integrated into the passenger side, so when you do have a passenger, they can enjoy the fun as well. Check out the video above for a full demonstration of the very strange system. [Autopia]

Hands-free devices like Bluetooth headsets will still be permitted, as will emergency calls. The fine for violators will be $200, but with school zones generally just a few blocks long, what is the Chatty Cathy to do during a lengthy conversation? Put the phone down for the two blocks? Also, what are the chances a police officer will be in the school zone to actually do the enforcing? Perhaps what's needed are crossing guards with photo radar. And kevlar vests. [Dallasnews]

It will relay information about blood-glucose levels at any given time to keep the diabetic aware and to determine if it's time for a snack. This could be a potentially life-saving vehicle addition for long-distance drivers who deal with the disease. If combined with nav we could see this system then reminding the driver where to find a healthy snack in a nearby store, and purposefully denying the existence of sugary fast foods. [Ubergizmo]

Teenagers didn't change their mobile phone usage habits, period. In a related survey, parents offered overwhelming support for the law, but conceded that enforcement was lacking. Even the vice-president of IIHS opined that these kinds of bans are difficult to enforce because it's hard to determine the age of users, and because hands-free devices like Bluetooth headsets are often hard to see.

One possible solution is to take the "DUI approach." Cops often set up roadside checkpoints in the vicinity of drinking establishments, so why not set up checkpoints outside of high schools, movie theaters and the mall? [Gadget Remote]

It turns out he did. Our new friend Alan had an intimate knowledge of the land from over thirty years piloting this same stretch of asphalt and he implored us to follow him, which we happily did. After a brief drive over his home turf we stopped to chat and take some pictures. We exchanged information and went about our way. The next morning there was an email waiting for us was a scan of a highlighted map with notes and a long screed on his favorite roads (he was right, btw). It was just another reminder of why we love the community of drivers, made up of people who enjoy running up the miles on their cars and want to do so in a safe, responsible and enjoyable way. Thanks Alan.

An experiment showed that while listening, experiment participants could complete a visual task easier when the task and the projected voice was in front, compared to a speaking voice come from the sides or back.

The latter experiment could lead to new vehicle speakerphone technology that could cut down on the level of distraction. Additionally, we're curious if the findings regarding the levels of brain distraction while speaking and listening could actually lead to a complete ban of cell phone use while driving, rather than the current limited restrictions. [Science Daily] (Image via Getty)

The legislation is stating that the GPS navigation units can only occupy a 5-inch square on the lowest left-hand corner of the windshield or a 7-inch square on the lowest right side corner. For aesthetic purposes, those two areas are best suited for GPS navigation units, but for practicality, not so much. Maybe the California legislation should talk to this guy to find out the truth behind windshield obstruction. [GPStracklog]

• 80% of cell phone owners talk while driving
  
• 40% of cell phone owners between 16 and 30 text message while driving
  
• 60% of teens use cell phones while driving
  
• 65% of baby boomers between 45 and 61 use cell phones while driving
  
• 78% of users between 18 and 30 use cell phones while driving
  
• 80% of users between 31 and 44 use cell phones while driving.

People should be videotaped while talking on their phones while driving, both to show how it impacts their driving and how big of a douchebag they look like gabbing on their pink RAZR while their Tahoe hugs two lanes. [Breitbart via CG] {Image via Getty)

It's being sold by the tech and gadget company, Thinkgeek, as a solution for all-night gaming.

It's a pretty typical situation. You've been gaming for sixteen hours and downed plenty of Bawls and Foosh Energy Mints, but the inevitable has begun to happen - you're starting to get the dreaded drowsy head tilt. Maybe this means it's time to quit your session and get some rest. We think not. The better answer is to put on the Anti Sleep Driving Alarm and keep on going.

The real purpose is probably for the passenger to use and not distract the driver with the bright and annoying dome lights, but we're negative nancies around these parts so we generally try to bring out the worst in every product. The Seatbelt light is sold in packs of two for $15. [Product Page via CG]

The law would make it legal to still drive with the dog in shotgun or the back, but just no sitting on the lap of the driver. If they read Jalopnik or drove Volvos, they'd know to buckle up their pets for ultimate safety. [Source/Photo: NBC 5i]

• Cell phone use among teens while driving is 76%
• 57% admit to texting "sometimes" or to often reading or sending text messages while driving
• 93% of teens play loud music when they drive
• 48% admit they're easily distracted when friends are passengers
• 91% think they're good drivers
• 34% say they're friends are good drivers
• 97% have witnessed other teens take risks while driving

If you perform a solid maneuver, the system will provide a green light, a mediocre maneuver will provide a yellow light and if it blinks red there is a good chance someone is recording you for a Youtube video, so hoon it up.

The purpose of the installed system is so a U.K. safety center will be able to collect "blind" test information for drivers in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. I'm sure bets will be placed prior to finding out which branch has the worst drivers.

Including this technology in vehicles reportedly reduced accidents by an average of 54 percent and lowered accident costs by 65 percent. Not bad. [News.com]

Despite how much bad karma it may produce by, you know, encouraging us to speed, we're told police officials apparently haven't complained about the service. Yet, anyway. [Trapster via AP]

It's because the lights are capable of resetting and modifying a body's internal clock. Exposing the body to the short wavelengths of blue light has the strongest affect on the internal clock and is the most effective way to provide daytime alertness. The research team at Rensselaen Polytechnic Institute in Troy are also investigating putting LED lights in the cabs of trucks and vehicles to provide the light "baths" while driving. [New Scientist]

Don't expect the honking to subside anytime soon. The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission will look at the proposal as part of the "Taxi of Tomorrow" project which be considering designs for the new cab. Until then, those living in nightlife-busy areas of New York are better off investing in earplugs. But hey, baby steps, baby steps. [Reuters via Gridskipper]

The cooperating businesses will be offering incentives like high interest rates on savings, discounted meals and more. Yes, because getting an even higher interest rate on savings and an even cheaper early-bird special is just what would influence the elderly to give up driving. [Motorcycle News]

The early predictions show that the cameras in Dallas will fall $4.1 million short of the revenue goal of $14.8 million for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

So, does this mean that people aren't running enough red lights to justify these costly purchases? Or does this mean that having the cameras there deters individuals from running red lights? I'm leaning towards the latter but it seems Dallas intends to leave up the non-functional cameras at the busy intersections, so that will shed some light on the matter soon. [DMN]

Upon being pulled over for driving while talking on the phone, the base fine is $145 that is paid on the spot. I'm not too sure how the legal system works down under, but damn, having to pay a fine of that magnitude on the spot sucks, really.

The $5 million comes from approximately 40,000 violators over the year. Don't think it is the Chatty Cathys doing all of the talking—men accounted for well over half the violations. Yes, 28,500 mates had to cough up $145, no questions asked. Now that's a fine. [Scopical] (Image)

Stanford pitted sleep-deprived drivers against drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .089, which is over the legal limit, and found that there were no significant differences between the two groups in 11 different test metrics. Sleep-deprived driving isn't necessarily illegal, but use some common sense. There's nothing wrong with taking a nap in a parking lot or ducking into a cheap and sleazy motel for some, er, shut-eye before hitting the road again. You might even enjoy carrying your own sheets to the room. [Stanford via Core77]

These glasses were originally developed for the24 Hours of LeMans, but Tag Heuer went ahead and said "eff it" and slapped a price tag on these bad boys as well. The glasses will be available in wide and panorama styles.

TAG HEUER EYEWEAR INTRODUCES NIGHT VISION: THE DRIVERS ESSENTIAL

(Boonton, NJ...March 2008) - A revolution that can be appreciated on the track as well as on the road - TAG Heuer "Avant-Garde" Eyewear has developed innovative glasses exclusively for drivers. Aptly named "Night Vision," these glasses correct the low-light short-sightedness that everyone endures from twilight to sunrise. "Night Vision" eyeglasses optimize precision and enhance perception of contrasts for more comfort while driving at night. Featuring "TAG Heuer Reflex-type" flexible temples, they are adjustable and fit comfortably under motorcycle and racing helmets.

Originally inspired by and developed for the internationally renowned 24 Hours of LeMans sports car endurance race, TAG Heuer Eyewear plans to market their purpose-made "Night Vision" eyeglasses via real racecar drivers. You'll see them on Formula One racer Sebastien Bourdais and Indianapolis 500 driver Sarah Fisher. These innovative glasses will be available to the public in early 2008.

The titanium Night Vision frames are available in both Wide and Panorama, with anti-slip elastomere arms. Their pale yellow lenses offer constant clear, sharp vision with a very high light transmission rate in order to contrast dark blue and green surroundings without changing color perception. The special ophthalmic lenses offer an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces glare and offers more accurate sight. A driver's essential: these glasses are designed to maximize performance from dusk to dawn.

TAG Heuer - maker of high-end sports watches and chronographs since 1860 - has been applying the same standards for design and quality found in their timepieces to the creation of exceptional eyewear since 2002. All TAG Heuer Eyewear lenses are shatter-resistant, ultra-light and provide 100% UV-A and UV-B protection.

Consumers: For more information on TAG Heuer's Eyewear full line, including authorized retailers, visit www.tagheuer.com/eyewear

The IRS also dropped the standard mileage rate for medical or moving purposes to 19 cents per mile, down from 20 cents per miles for 2007, and left the mileage rate the same at 14 cents per mile for charity work. The IRS bumped up the mileage rates after studying the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.

The business mileage rate has seen a significant increase over the past six years. In 2002 the rate was 36.5 cents per miles and has steadily grown until 2008, when it will surpass the half-dollar mark. Hooray deductions! [IRS via KT]
(Image)

The HawkEye works by magnifying and recording the eye behavior. This can correctly judge the pupil size. With standard field sobriety tests it is on the officer to make a judgement call on the pupil size, but the HawkEye is capable of doing it automatically and even recording the data for future use (YouTube or court evidence), if needed. [HawkEye via MedGadget]

Part or the original ordinance required the city to place visible signs stating that talking on the phone while driving is illegal and the city has yet to do so, but has continued to ticket people, including Chris Yarusso, Horwitz's client.

Apparently, everything traffic-wise must be legal in Illinois, unless a sign says otherwise. So, go nuts! [CrunchGear] (Image)

Hey Johnny, what's that St. Christopher medal there for its health? That's right, ol' Chris, the eye in the sky for travelers, bids us to be friendly and patient drivers who give rights of way to the poor and presseth thine gas pedal as you'd be pressed. Now the Pope's stepping in with some tricks of his own. No drunk driving, no speeding, no personal glorification and no using a car as a place of sin. Damn, there goes the weekend. [Thanks to Graham and David for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

Vatican issues "10 Commandments" for good motorists [Reuters]

Related:
Habemus Volvo! Pope's New Whip [internal]

We remember talking to a real life racing school instructor about whether or not he employs any of the abracadabra he'd been teaching us into his daily commute.. "No," he said in his soft Lancashire twang. "Once I'm off the track I just drive like everyone else, don't I?" We weren't having it. "I bet you heel and toe into every red light." He flashed us his champion grin, shrugged and said, "Well, sure. Of course that." We only knew because a few months earlier we had mastered the art of hitting three pedals at the same time to the point where we didn't even know we were doing it. Much to our passengers' constant annoyance, we've just straight up nailed that particular trick. The month before we'd stopped depressing the clutch altogether during most shifts. Which sounds cooler than it is (see our chewed synchromeshes). So where are you at with the hoonage art of driving? Left foot braking? Or still tickled pink with good old neutral drops? – Jonny Lieberman

Related:
The Jalopnik Question of the Day [Internal]

We're so over-regulated here in the US and Europe, especially when it comes to city driving. Stop on the red, go on the green, floor it on the yellow. And don't get us started on signs. (Hell, we don't even know what this one even means.) In parts of India, like the locale where the intersection videotaped for this clip resides, traffic is more a matter of free expression — let the market decide, if you will. Somehow, it all works out. And by "works" we mean kinda.

Related:
Hoons of the day [internal]

Hey guys, no more jokes about The League of Women Drivers holding their annual meeting at the bottom of a ravine; a UK study shows women's brains are more tuned to safe driving then men's. The study found that women have the more facile minds, which are and far better at shifting quickly during tasks like driving, whereas men's brains tend to blindly carry forward like oxen down Mt. McKinley. The difference could be the levels of the hormone estrogen (or oestrogen if you prefer warm beer). The difference shows up in women's lower insurance premiums in the UK, and men's tendency to plow into large objects while checking out the women's, er, facile minds.

Why are Women Better Drivers? [Pistonheads]

Related:
Mercury to Promote Milan with Random Acts of Surprise [internal]