Ford, General Motors' New Technology Keeps Teen Drivers Safe

New technologies are beginning to surface, giving relief to parents who are nervous about their teen getting their license.

Ford and General Motors separately released systems to help parents monitor what their teen is doing in the car for their own peace of mind and the child's safety.

Ford's system, called MyKey, has capabilities to set a maximum speed and volume on the radio to lessen distraction. The radio also won't turn on unless the seatbelts are fastened.

MyKey is available in models that include the infotainment system, MyTouch, and the settings can only be controlled with a special key.

"MyKey is not about control, it's about love," Ford safety executive Andy Sarkisian, who has two daughters nearing driving age, tells CBS. "It's about helping them manage the transition from childhood to adulthood and keeping them safe while they do it."

General Motor's system, Family Link, is a little different. Instead of controlling the actual car settings, it lets parents see where their child is driving.

For $3.99 a month, parents can set up a perimeter online surrounding where the child is allowed to drive. If they cross the assigned border, the teen's parents will receive a text. Parents can also set the system up to notify them when the vehicle reaches the child's school in the morning.

For those with teens who aren't interested in splurging on a brand-new car, like most things, there is a more cost-efficient option.

The still-in-development plug-in device Truvolo hooks right up to the car's diagnostics device (usually right under the dashboard) and is planned to have similar features.

Though many parents are enjoying the safety perks of these new systems, some people are skeptical:

Tags

Ford, Teen, Driving, Safety