Car insurance quote news
12/09/2011
New safety system could help save lives
For parents who worry about their teenaged children, who they may have put on their car insurance or have their own young driver car insurance, it looks as if a solution may have finally been found.
Ford, a leading car manufacturer, has come up with an electronic system (MyKey) which is to be fitted into all European Fiesta models in 2012. It is hoped it will encourage new drivers to behave safely when they are in control of the vehicle. Parents will be able to limit the car's top speed, as well as the volume of the stereo.
This new electronic system, which has earned the nickname "teenage mode" will be activated by a special key which holds a computer chip to control specific car functions.
Parents will have the option of setting the top speed somewhere between 45mph and 80mph. When the young driver approaches this speed a chime will sound and an electronic voice will warn the motorist to slow down.
Another important feature of this innovative system is when the vehicle is involved in an accident serious enough to trigger the airbags; the on-board computer will automatically send a call through to emergency services along with co-ordinates of where the crash took place. This system is similar to those included in some telematics insurance provider's policies.
Hopefully, this new technology will help give parents more peace of mind when they give the car keys to young drivers who are just starting out. Initial test runs in the U.S.A. received mostly positive feedback and as the technology becomes more widely used, it is hoped that fewer accidents involving young drivers will take place.
The MyKey system may also mean that the cost of car insurance for parents insuring their children to drive in the family car could be reduced since they may be seen as less of a risk by vehicle cover companies.