YOU'VE ALL heard of parental controls for the TV, the Internet and good, old-fashioned telling off - now let us introduce you to parental controls for the car.

That's right, for all you teenage drivers out there, start hating Ford. For, thanks to the technology of its MyKey system, the speed, stereo volume and the use of seat-belts will all be under the control of your rents.

This latest inspiration will debut next year, going on sale in 2010 as a feature of the new compact Focus - although Ford will be the first to have MyKey the company foresees this becoming a standard feature of all cars.

The most annoying thing for boy (and girl) racers is the limit on the cars speed of 80mph, although the constant beeping if a seatbelt isn't worn is equally as irritating.

Other options are being considered, such as if warning tones should go off if the vehicle goes faster than 45, 55 or 65mph.

This is not new technology however, as the system is already in use to hamper car theft, Jim Buczkowski of Ford's electronic and electrical systems engineering said, "It's making use of existing technology, and through the magic of software, we're able to build features on top of the features we already have."

Although we joke about this technology being a nuisance to younger drivers, it should help with safety issues - meaning less crashes and therefore deaths on the road.

These ideas, good though they may be, could be improved slightly however.

We think youngsters shouldn't be able to drive while their pants are on display outside of their trousers, their hair is flopped over their face or until they get a nice respectable job - oh no wait, that's what our parents think. µ