The start of satellite control?
The real reason for the Government's recently announced speed limit review is the intention to introduce satellite control of vehicle speeds, according to road safety campaign Safe Speed.
So called 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' (ISA) is a black box installed in a vehicle that holds a map of all speed limits, determines your position from satellite signals and adjust the throttle - or even applies the brakes - to prevent your vehicle from exceeding the speed limit. And the new limits would discourage drivers from circumventing main road limits by using back roads, reckoned campaign founder Paul Smith.
The ISA system is being developed at Leeds University, which is years behind in terms of publishing the results of recent trials, according to Smith, despite spending millions of pounds of Department for Transport money and then evaluating its own results -- which flies in the face of established scientific procedures.
Smith said: "I'm amazed to hear of a second deadly mistake by Department for Transport within as many days. Initial trials from Leeds clearly demonstrated the dangers of the system as drivers paid less attention, tailgated more and pulled into smaller gaps.
"Anyone who understand safe driving will know that safety depends on drivers being fully engaged in the task. With ISA ordinary motorists will turn into zombies with their foot planted to the floor, trusting the satellite to control their speed. They will not be as ready to deal road hazards. They will behave like zombies.
"Department for Transport policies have failed and now they want to do much more of the same. Safe Speed estimates that 8,000 have already died of 'bad policy' on British roads, because DfT policies have made drivers worse and caused a loss of trend in the fatal accident rate.
"Since the introduction of HGV speed limiters, deaths amongst HGV drivers have risen alarmingly. And satellite speed control is anything but intelligent. Who is going to stop this trend before it's too late?"
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