Ford Syncs Up With California Laws

Ford Syncs Up With California Laws

As California prepares to go “hands-free” this summer, Ford is ready to help the 29.7 million cell phone subscribers in California with its state-of-the-art SYNC in-car communications and entertainment system, developed with Microsoft.

Ford SYNC provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players – Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes, and other MP3 players – and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the vehicle’s steering wheel or radio controls.

“Americans, on average, commute 30 minutes each way every day, and in California, commute times are longer,” said Hal Dewsnap, Los Angeles regional manager Ford, Lincoln Mercury. “SYNC helps people stay connected while minimizing distractions during their commute by keeping their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road ahead.”

SYNC, which was recently named 2008’s “Best New Technology” by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, is available in 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles: Ford Edge, Explorer, Focus, Fusion, Sport Trac, Taurus, Taurus X, Lincoln MKX and MKZ, and Mercury Milan, Mountaineer, and Sable.

A new law will take effect in California July 1st, aimed at reducing accidents caused by distracted drivers, typically those using cell phones or accessing music. SB1613 prohibits use of a cell phone in a moving vehicle unless the driver is using a hands-free device, like SYNC.

In a message to Californians, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said “With the implementation of this law, many lives will be saved from car accidents caused by distracted drivers.” The California Highway Patrol recorded 4,236 traffic fatalities in California in 2006, citing cell phone use as the number one cause of distracted driving accidents.

Read the complete Press Release