Ford’s new in-car technology means drivers will be able to use the same applications as their mobile phone.

Ford has announced the launch of in-car technology which will allow drivers to enjoy a one-stop entertainment experience from the luxury of their car.

At the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Ford launched MyFord™ - driver-connect technology - which will begin rolling out on vehicles later this year. 

Combining voice activation, LCD touch-screens and a simplified five-way control, MyFord will, according to the car manufacturer, provide the driver with a “seamless flow of information and entertainment.”

Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President of Global Product Development, said: “MyFord delivers a premium interior experience that will help consumers fall in love with their vehicles again.”

Ford said that drivers were demanding more in-car connectivity. The system, which uses SYNC® technology, allows the driver to access all those programmes they can on a mobile phone, through their car, thanks to a wireless internet or 3G connection.

However, Ford’s decision to increase the availability to drivers of such technologies may be deemed severely irresponsible. Statistics showing the number of deaths associated with drivers using mobile phones continue to haunt road safety charities.

Chief Executive of UK road safety charity Brake, Mary Williams OBE, said: “Using a hand held mobile phone, or talking on any kind of mobile phone hand held or hands free, is a major distraction and given all the publicity there has been about the dangers of mobile phones, and the tragedies caused by mobile phone users, there can’t be a driver out there who doesn’t know it.”

According to the Department for Transport in 2008, 323 road deaths were caused by drivers using a mobile phone in the UK. In the US, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society say that 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries are attributable to drivers using a mobile phone every year. 

Ford says that it designed the new in-car technology “with the potential to help reduce driver distraction”.

However, to those victims of road accidents involving mobile technology this may come as no consolation. In 2003, the UK government banned the use of mobile phones while driving, but Brake is calling for it to ban all kinds of mobile phone use, claiming it is “the distraction of the call, not the holding of the phone that causes the main danger.”

What do you think?

Do you think Ford is providing simply another tool for distraction by introducing this new technology for drivers? Or do you think that it should be available and it is simply the driver’s prerogative how they use it – with the hope that they do not endanger themselves and other drivers?