My friend Dana sent me a link to this article and told me it was my next blog topic. I guess I agreed with her, because here we are…

DETROIT – So you think junior is a little too lead-footed when he drives the family car? Starting next year, Ford Motor Co. will give you the power to do something about it.

The company will roll out a new feature on many 2010 models that can limit teen drivers to 80 mph, using a computer chip in the key.

Parents also have the option of programming the teen’s key to limit the audio system’s volume, and to sound continuous alerts if the driver doesn’t wear a seat belt.

I think this is brilliant. However, there is one tiny little flaw in this plan: What middle class person wants to buy their 16 year old kid a brand new car? And what upper class person is going to buy their kid a brand new FORD? LOL

Okay, wait a second, there’s another flaw…they’re limiting the speed to 80 mph because they felt that “lopping it off at exactly 70 mph was felt to be too limiting.” Yeah. We’d hate to limit those pesky teens to the speed limit, wouldn’t we?

Overall, I think it’s a good option to have. I had planned to give my kid my old ass Honda Civic when he turns 16. It will be 14 years old by then. It probably won’t be able to go past 70 by age default. Plus he’ll have to learn how to drive a 5 speed which I think all kids should learn.

What do you guys think? Is this the wave of the future? Is it a good idea or are we just making our kids be responsible without teaching them responsibilities?