June 3, 2005
The Sunday Times-Britain
Dipesh Gadher, transport correspondent
It is the ultimate backseat driver. Motorists face having their cars fitted with a "spy" device that stops speeding.
The satellite-based system will monitor the speed limit and apply the brakes or cut the accelerator if the driver tries to exceed it. A government-funded trial has concluded that this scheme promotes safer driving.
... Cars were fitted with a black box containing a digital map identifying the speed limits of every stretch of road... a satellite positioning system tracked the cars locations. The device compared the cars speed with a local limit -- displayed on the dashboard -- and sent a signal to the accelerator or the brake pedal to slow if it was too fast. The system can be overridden to avoid a hazard. [how quickly?]
The DfT says it has no plans to make the speed limiters mandatory but admits it is considering creating a digital map of all Britain's roads, which would pave the way for a national ISA system.
One of the things that I pointed out to Jeff today, who is subbing for Lars Larson, is what if there is an emergency. For example, you're on the freeway and somebody is trying to merge into your lane and you need to get out of the way. Will the system disengage to allow you the short bursts?
And what about other roads? Will it be limited only to freeways?
What are your thoughts?
4 comments:
Robin, some NW bloggers are collaborating on some stuff and we would like your email address. Since posting a personal address is sure to get you spammed I would suggest you create a temporary yahoo or hotmail address and post that, I will email you my personal address and we can proceed from there.
not a bad idea. I'll look in to it this weekend. right now I am getting ready for mid terms.
having a life, whats that?
having a life, whats that?
What are you trying to say Robin? (I'll be sitting here clicking the refresh button on my browser waiting for your response)
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