Now you can't speed.....
Discussion
'Spy' under bonnet could stop speeding
By David Williams, Evening Standard Motoring Editor
23 September 2004
Speed limiters could be fitted to cars in London under radical plans backed by the Mayor.
The electronic under-bonnet "spy" would make it impossible to exceed legal limits over the entire capital.
The satellite-controlled black box would "know" the maximum permitted speed at all points along a car's journey and prevent motorists from going too fast by limiting the response from the accelerator.
The tough new measure, in Transport for London's Draft Road Safety Action Plan, was unveiled at the Pan-London Road Safety Forum today.
The plan calls for speed limiters be fitted initially to public service vehicles such as buses and taxis. This would dramatically reduce average speeds across the capital by forcing other vehicles to fall in line.
However, experts at Transport for London's Road Safety Unit also want motorists to be encouraged to fit the limiters through incentive schemes.
Motorists can take their cars to a garage to have the limiter fitted for less than ?150. In return, they would be offered cheaper insurance because they would be deemed a lower risk.
But experts believe the scheme could become mandatory and all motorists would have to pay to have their cars fitted with the device.
Chris Lines, head of the unit, told the Standard: "Proposals for the limiter will be discussed today. We also want a study to look at the potential benefits of this scheme in London. It might also replace speed humps and speed cameras in due course."
In a statement today, Mayor Ken Livingstone confirmed his support for the scheme.
He said: "The use of speed limiters could save many lives in London. We must, however, ensure it is safe and the right solution for London."
Speed limiters are already fitted to some new cars voluntarily by manufacturers but must be set by the driver.
Today the AA warned that motorists would resist losing control over their cars.
But it said many motorists would welcome an "optional" limiter as they were confused by speed limits in London which frequently ranged from 20mph to 30, 40, 50 and 60mph.
"Drivers do not want to lose control taken altogether," said the AA's Paul Watters, head of roads and transport policy.
However, Jenny Jones, London Assembly Green Party spokeswoman, said: "We have to find a way of stopping speed-related injuries and deaths in London. If this technology works as well as we think it will, we have a duty to act quickly to stop the destruction of people's lives."
The Mayor and Transport for London will now consider the proposals in detail. Ministers are also looking for experts to compile a powerful digital "map" containing details of every speed limit in Britain.
By David Williams, Evening Standard Motoring Editor
23 September 2004
Speed limiters could be fitted to cars in London under radical plans backed by the Mayor.
The electronic under-bonnet "spy" would make it impossible to exceed legal limits over the entire capital.
The satellite-controlled black box would "know" the maximum permitted speed at all points along a car's journey and prevent motorists from going too fast by limiting the response from the accelerator.
The tough new measure, in Transport for London's Draft Road Safety Action Plan, was unveiled at the Pan-London Road Safety Forum today.
The plan calls for speed limiters be fitted initially to public service vehicles such as buses and taxis. This would dramatically reduce average speeds across the capital by forcing other vehicles to fall in line.
However, experts at Transport for London's Road Safety Unit also want motorists to be encouraged to fit the limiters through incentive schemes.
Motorists can take their cars to a garage to have the limiter fitted for less than ?150. In return, they would be offered cheaper insurance because they would be deemed a lower risk.
But experts believe the scheme could become mandatory and all motorists would have to pay to have their cars fitted with the device.
Chris Lines, head of the unit, told the Standard: "Proposals for the limiter will be discussed today. We also want a study to look at the potential benefits of this scheme in London. It might also replace speed humps and speed cameras in due course."
In a statement today, Mayor Ken Livingstone confirmed his support for the scheme.
He said: "The use of speed limiters could save many lives in London. We must, however, ensure it is safe and the right solution for London."
Speed limiters are already fitted to some new cars voluntarily by manufacturers but must be set by the driver.
Today the AA warned that motorists would resist losing control over their cars.
But it said many motorists would welcome an "optional" limiter as they were confused by speed limits in London which frequently ranged from 20mph to 30, 40, 50 and 60mph.
"Drivers do not want to lose control taken altogether," said the AA's Paul Watters, head of roads and transport policy.
However, Jenny Jones, London Assembly Green Party spokeswoman, said: "We have to find a way of stopping speed-related injuries and deaths in London. If this technology works as well as we think it will, we have a duty to act quickly to stop the destruction of people's lives."
The Mayor and Transport for London will now consider the proposals in detail. Ministers are also looking for experts to compile a powerful digital "map" containing details of every speed limit in Britain.
a journalist said:
Ministers are also looking for experts to compile a powerful digital "map" containing details of every speed limit in Britain.
So does this mean when our car gets flashed by a Gatso in a temporary speed limit in roadworks, for example, which has not been updated onto the 'powerful digital map' by the 'experts', we can have any speeding conviction quashed because "my car has a limiter and is incapable of exceeding the speed limit?"
No. Didn't think so.....
evening standard said:
In return, they would be offered cheaper insurance because they would be deemed a lower risk.
That's right, because they keep the accelerator nailed to the floor and don't worry about their speed, they're safer!!
FFS when will these people realise it's not the answer!? A false sense of security given by the fact that they "can't speed" will lead to no end of kiddies being run over outside schools, etc.
"But I couldn't have been speeding"
>> Edited by nicecupoftea on Friday 24th September 00:41
Streetcop said:
But it said many motorists would welcome an "optional" limiter as they were confused by speed limits in London which frequently ranged from 20mph to 30, 40, 50 and 60mph.
If these 'motorists' are confused they shouldn't be allowed on the roads
How is a speed limiter going to help on the lower limits ? I guess we are talking about a satellite controlled limiter that knows all the road limits, and prevents speeding on all roads.
>> Edited by ledfoot on Friday 24th September 00:58
Streetcop said:
Less likely to kill em though......
until the speed limiter goes doolally!
If they try to implement this silly scheme it will make the value of nice classics shoot up - get your non-electronic, lobotomy proof vehicles quick!
Problem is that old mechanical injection systems and carburettor fed engines are not as clean burning - be a good way to increase atmospheric pollution in London.
What a bunch of pillocks!
Would having one of these devices fitted therefore count as a solid unassailable defence against any charge of speeding?
If made mandatory and prior to speed camera's being removed, who pays for the speedcamera's and the various initiatives currently funded by scamera fines?
How does the technology judge exactly where a speed limit starts/changes?
Will this require mapping of each and every speed limit change to the nearest mm, cm, metre, 10 metres???
How will the technology adapt to changes to speed limits, particularly if they are temporary changes to permit roadworks say.
When everyone is prevented from driving around at above the speed limits and the number of road deaths and injuries doesnt change what will TfL and the lentil-lefties do then???
Streetcop said:
Less likely to kill em though......
Hypothetically...
The average speed drops to 30 from 35 giving double the chance of survival. Lack of responsibility reduced drivers awareness and accident rate increaces 4 times...
Red Kens press release "The percentage of children killed in accidents has fallen by 50%"
Reality: twice as many dead and injured.
It could happen!
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff