Licensed To Drive Slower

Yep, 80 is way to high for anyone, much less teenage drivers. I think they should fix it where the parent can limit it much lower. For instance if your teen is just going to be driving around town where the speed limit ranges from 35-55, then why should it be set to go any higher? Most people on their average day don't go 80 mph, so that is really not a good speed for it to be set to go. Would be awesome if they would rethink this, and fix it where the parents choose the speed limit.

I think that is a terrific idea, but is it only if you buy their new car? And I have to agree with everyone else, why can't we choose to limit the speed limit ourselves, like to 60 or 65 mph? I really think 80mph is way to high. My daughter is trying to get her license right now, she didn't pass her test the first time, thank god! I really am scared for her to start driving because of all of the maniacs out in the world who don't pay attention or text on their cell phones instead of paying attention to what they should be doing. I think that this would be an excellent idea, but hopefully you don't have to buy their brand new car for it because we don't have the money to buy it for her and I would guess that a lot of people don't.

Count me in. It's a start, at least, when you obviously can't be with them all the time. But couldn't the top speed be lower than 80mph? And I only wish I could make her friends parents get these as well!

Instead of fancy electronical equipment, drivers need time and experience behind the wheel. This includes the young and the senior citizens. Both of my children have received their licenses but not when the state said they could, when we the parents felt they were ready.

I love this Idea!! My daughters are already gone and married. But I still remember hearing the Driver's Ed.'s voice as he stated "Just because your child got their license, don't let them run and run and run. Don't go out and by this fancy sports car so they can speed." I have seen several teenagers killed because of reckless driving. I think it is a great idea for this to help our teenagers and give the parents peace of mind!!!

This is really neat. I think it would help keep kids out of trouble. I don't mind if teenagers drive one or two of their friends around but I think it is a bad idea when they get a car full. I also don't mind them driving their brothers/sisters/family around. I don't really like that contract idea for this reason. When I started driving, I was only allowed one "friend" in the car. This worked out really well. This technology in the new car sounds great.

Sounds like a great idea I like the contract that meowmix talked about where only to carry family. A group of teenagers all kind of thing can go wrong.

it says it allows parents to SET a maximum speed of 80 MPH, which means they can set it for less. Our insurance policy requires our kids under 18 to sign a contract wtih them that for the first year they will carry no passengers other than family. If parents enforce it, it gives the driver a year to get used to the roads w/o the distractions of friends, partying, etc., and thus less need for speed. It worked for all 4 of our children. The contract gave the parents "extra support" for making tough decisions and removes the child's arguments abt why then cannot do it. Accountability in that first year is very very important.

I think this is a very interesting concept-my older brother was a speed demon as a teenager! (Interestingly enough, he's now in law enforcement.) I do think it would be great if Ford offered it as an option that you could have installed on older models, provided the technology is compatible (without spending the cost equivalent of another car) after an upgrade. I have a 1998 Escort, and while neither of my children are even close to driving age, I know we won't have a brand new vehicle when they are...more than likely, it will be another "new to us" vehicle. Now someone just needs to invent a sensor or something that "tattles" to parents, or sends constant reminders to the driver, if they don't have both hands on the wheel for more than a brief moment. (IE-no texting, eating, extended playing w/the radio, etc...)

I think the concept is a great idea... keep teen drivers safe. But I also agree with many of the comments above like "I'm not going to buy my new teen driver a brand new car." Honestly, I feel like this is just another way for a stuggling car company to make money in a bad economy. It's a good ploy though: create a car where parents will go to the ends of the world to protect their children... even if that means spending lots of $. I have a feeling, though, that this is just exploitation. I hope electric cars are next.

This is great technology. My oldest got his liscense in August and I am on pins and needles whenever he is out driving. Most of his friends don't have new cars but many teens do get brand new cars when they turn 16. So many boys race cars and don't think about the fact that they could be killed. I would like the limit to be 65 or 70. I would consider buying a car with this functionality. This past spring a 16 year old struck and killed a middle school student who was biking home from school. I knew the middle school student and the funeral was one of the saddest I have ever attended. I know that the teen will never be the same. We need to outlaw texting and using cell phones while driving in all states.

I think this is a great tool for all drivers. So many people are worried about teen drivers, we still have to worry about the adults driving under the influence and speeding.

I think the idea is a good one but also think 80mph is to high. That is sill very fast and fast enough to be killed in an accident. But I think it is great that people are finally trying to address the issue of our teens driving to fast!

I would definitely consider getting one for my teenage drivers. Great idea, will this work on all model cars, new and old?

I love this idea, it's about time someone thought of it. What would be even better is if all vehicles in the USA could not go any faster than 70mph at any given time for all drivers. I have never understood the logic behind having cars that can go up to 120mph when the top speed I have ever seen is 75mph in my travels. But that is just an opinion out of my simple mind.