Ford MyKey system now limits cell phone use for teens

Ford's MyKey system has been able to limit speeds and audio volume to improve teen-driver safety. Now, new technology will allow the system to limit cell phone use as well.

Launching on the 2012 Ford Explorer, the new technology means that, when hooked up to Sync, the teen's phone will send calls to voicemail and save texts for later reading, but drivers can still make voice-activated outgoing calls.

Distracted driving contributes to 8,000 vehicle crashes each day, according to AAA.

“We are continually listening to our customers and respond to parents' desire to make sure their kids are paying attention to the road, not their cell phone,” said Andy Sarkisian, Ford safety planning and strategy manager.

Parents can also program the system to limit top speed, mute audio until front occupants buckle their seatbelts, block satellite-radio channels with adult programming, limit volume, set alerts at certain speed markers and issue an early low-fuel warning.

Certain cell phone companies are offering similar services. Sprint's Drive First costs an additional $2 a month and AT&T's DriveMode, designed for Android and BlackBerry devices, routes calls directly to voicemail when a user is in transit and sends an automatic reply to incoming text messages.

By Julie Alvin