Ford Introduces “Teenage Mode” to Allow Parent Control of Car

Media sources reported that the Ford Motor Company has launched a technology known as “teenage mode” in select models of their vehicles.

The system is designed to allow parents to limit the top speed the vehicle can travel while their teens are driving. The feature can also limit the volume of the stereo and prevent the deactivation of safety features like traction control and seatbelt and collision warning signs. Teenage Mode works through the use of a separate key, which is given to the teenage driver and is the only one to activate the features. Once the vehicle reaches the speed designated by the parents, the driver will hear a chime and be warned to slow down.

Chief Technical Officer and Vice-President of Ford Research and Innovation, Paul Mascarena, said, “It’s targeted at young driver, although it is useful for fleet operators as well. We were concerned that children would see it as Big Brother watching them. But they’re now getting more access to the vehicle. And from a parental perspective, there is peace of mind.”

As a Moncks Corner car accident lawyer , I’m aware of the significant number of accidents that teen drivers are involved in every year. As a reader, do you think this type of technology is useful or does it overstep boundaries, not allowing teens to fully develop their driving skills? If you’ve been involved in an accident that you believe was the direct result of the negligent actions of another driver, it may be in your best interests to discuss the incident with a car accident lawyer in your area.