Teen Drivers Forced to Keep Country Music Down
Just when we thought we had the right artists to lure more teens into country music, Ford has announced plans to turn the stereo volume down in the teens' cars. A computer chip in the key will allow moms and dads to limit the audio system's volume. It's a cool concept and will probably save precious lives by eliminating all the distractions rookie drivers face. But it will also eliminate that free and easy feeling of cruising down the road with the country music cranked up as loud as it will go. Let's hope teens find a way to turn it up elsewhere.
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Jim says:
After living in Europe for several months, I have come to a stark realization–we’re insanely overprotective of our kids in America. How about instead of relying on a chip to control the volume of their car audio, we actually teach them how to be safe drivers? Wow, what a concept!
Sarah b says:
I believe that if teens want to listen to country music with the stereo bumpin, I say let em’. Music is a way to express yourself and release unwanted stress that school and social life puts on a young adult.If parents dont want their child listening to loud music, let their child suffer,not everyone.
Kyle says:
hmmm…seems as though the cell phone providers should follow suit with that tactic…and i’d agree with jim that we should focus on a more pro-active approach of just teaching safe driving…but that would be too easy right? and is it really the volume of the stereo or is it deciding which k ches or brad paisley song on their ipod that they want to hear? but you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink…
Ms. Feathers says:
Jim, in most of Europe, you can’t get a drivers license before you’re at least 21, and in some places 25. That’s because they believe the studies that prove that the “risk-avoidance” part of the brain isn’t fully developed until age 25. The Insurance companies believe it tho, which is why they lower your premiums when you turn 25.
Last weekend an 18 y/o was killed in a car wreck. He wasn’t driving and he was wearing his seatbelt. Why did he die? It was a two-lane country road with lots of twists and dips and close trees on either side. It had been raining all day. The driver was 17. And it was after dark. These kids were “cruising” - following a series of roads that make a loop similar to Infineon and Watkins Glen combined. They were too comfortable with the road and were not taking proper precautions in the conditions. The driver walked away, the backseat passenger is still in the hospital.
And after it happened I added another year to my 15.5 y/o son’s driving age. There’s no law that says they HAVE to drive at 16, but the longer they wait, the safer they are.
As for music, it can be a HUGE distraction. Have you ever turned down your radio when approaching a busy stretch of highway or a complicated intersection? That’s because your brain can’t process all that info at one time. You turn it down because somehow you know it’s safer.
Ms. Feathers says:
I should clarify, that 18 y/o who died was a senior at my son’s school - that’s a true story, not just something I made up to make a point.
countryfan11 says:
Well Ms Feathers, I am sad that happens ALL over, I can’t tell you how many young people we have locally that have died over the holidays or graduating, or from speeding too fast to get back to campus, etc. They want to feel grown up, they want to show off, they feel invincible. I am all for raising the age AND taking whatever precautions necessary to lower the risks. I pity the foolish innocents that ride with them, and the ones sharing the road with them. I pray for all parents getting that dreaded call or visit- kinda like the letter Carrie gets in her current video, even though her situation is different.
hotelmotel says:
When i was younger, I’d have my music really loud in my car. On a few ocasions, it was so loud that I couldn’t hear a siren or similar thing. I’ve since turned the music down.
——– says:
This is retarded…. people are more likely to get into accidents while listening to the radio. they can still listen to it, and keep it down and still have an easy feeling or whatever you called it.