IAM back "spy-in-the-car"
Discussion
Shocking news that the Institute of Advanced Motorists has given its backing to the government's latest wheeze, the "Intelligent Speed Adaption" system - otherwise known as the "spy-in-the-car".
You can read more about it on their website
A little black box that reduces the driver's control of a vehicle is not going to improve road safety. What will do so is to increase the level of driver training - something the IAM has been campaigning for throughout its existence.
So let's be clear about what the "Intelligent Speed Adaption" idea is really about. It will allow the authorities to know exactly what speed every vehicle is doing at every moment of its journey. This is an in-car speed camera that could automatically fine you each and every time you stray just 1mph over the limit.
The government's "Speed Kills" campaign is a lie. Speed doesn't kill - but inappropriate speed can and does kill, and it can be just as inappropriate to travel just within the posted limit for a road in certain circumstances as it can be to exceed it in others.
I could drive at past a school at 30mph, in the dark, on a wet or icy evening, and the "intelligent" machine wouldn't bleep if the limit for that road was 30mph. But that wouldn't make it safe. Equally, driving on a clear motorway in dry conditions, it's safe for modern vehicles to exceed the speed limit by quite a way - but it's not legal, so the spy in the car would be happily totting up the points. And what do points make? Pound notes for the government!
The IAM should hang their heads in shame over this announcement, in which they are acting as nothing more than government stooges ... and I say that as an IAM member.
You can read more about it on their website
A little black box that reduces the driver's control of a vehicle is not going to improve road safety. What will do so is to increase the level of driver training - something the IAM has been campaigning for throughout its existence.
So let's be clear about what the "Intelligent Speed Adaption" idea is really about. It will allow the authorities to know exactly what speed every vehicle is doing at every moment of its journey. This is an in-car speed camera that could automatically fine you each and every time you stray just 1mph over the limit.
The government's "Speed Kills" campaign is a lie. Speed doesn't kill - but inappropriate speed can and does kill, and it can be just as inappropriate to travel just within the posted limit for a road in certain circumstances as it can be to exceed it in others.
I could drive at past a school at 30mph, in the dark, on a wet or icy evening, and the "intelligent" machine wouldn't bleep if the limit for that road was 30mph. But that wouldn't make it safe. Equally, driving on a clear motorway in dry conditions, it's safe for modern vehicles to exceed the speed limit by quite a way - but it's not legal, so the spy in the car would be happily totting up the points. And what do points make? Pound notes for the government!
The IAM should hang their heads in shame over this announcement, in which they are acting as nothing more than government stooges ... and I say that as an IAM member.
Edited by Viggo on Saturday 3rd January 05:36
Edited by Viggo on Saturday 3rd January 05:37
This makes me very sad... another move towards taking the driving out of the driver, and forcing compliance on the individual.
The roads in Britain are dangerous, I will agree, but the way to make them safer is through education, not legislation. I suggest regular retests as a start point... surely, this would put the responsibility back on the motorist, to maintain his, or her driving standards.
I completley agree with the OP, and as a member too, I can only see this as being another nail in the coffin of an organisation that seems to have lost touch with its aims, and certainly its members views.
The roads in Britain are dangerous, I will agree, but the way to make them safer is through education, not legislation. I suggest regular retests as a start point... surely, this would put the responsibility back on the motorist, to maintain his, or her driving standards.
I completley agree with the OP, and as a member too, I can only see this as being another nail in the coffin of an organisation that seems to have lost touch with its aims, and certainly its members views.
I do believe that IAM head office seems to have it's head up its own arse from time to time. It somtimes says things contrary to the views of its membership. Or, at least, the membership I know and speak to. Mind you ROSPA do it as well.
You have to remember that these organisations are charities and the people who work full time for charities are either monumentally wealthy or several biscuits short of the tin. Sometimes they'll say stuff they believe without it necessarily being true. Government is particularly guilty of this...
Don't worry. If you are a member tell 'em to put in the monthly e-polls thing. Then we can all vote on whether or not we think these things are a good idea. I'll bet they get a result the odd spokesman will choke on.
Here's an example. The National Trust got all mean and green a couple of years back. Decided it would be a good idea to discourage it's nasty members from turning up in their CARS (which are bad). They put it to a vote and the ludicrous idea, given most NT properties are miles from public transport waaay out in the country, got the spanking it so richly deserved.
I will bet now that the idea will get floated again because some green
in the head office thinks it's a really good idea. Whilst they need our money it will NEVER happen. And the will really not like it and keep repeating the idea every few years.
Pity the. It's grim having your hopes dashed over and over again.
Only government can force through st ideas. We can deal with the IAM (being members). It's the loons in charge you really have to worry about.
You have to remember that these organisations are charities and the people who work full time for charities are either monumentally wealthy or several biscuits short of the tin. Sometimes they'll say stuff they believe without it necessarily being true. Government is particularly guilty of this...
Don't worry. If you are a member tell 'em to put in the monthly e-polls thing. Then we can all vote on whether or not we think these things are a good idea. I'll bet they get a result the odd spokesman will choke on.
Here's an example. The National Trust got all mean and green a couple of years back. Decided it would be a good idea to discourage it's nasty members from turning up in their CARS (which are bad). They put it to a vote and the ludicrous idea, given most NT properties are miles from public transport waaay out in the country, got the spanking it so richly deserved.
I will bet now that the idea will get floated again because some green
in the head office thinks it's a really good idea. Whilst they need our money it will NEVER happen. And the will really not like it and keep repeating the idea every few years.Pity the
. It's grim having your hopes dashed over and over again. Only government can force through s
t ideas. We can deal with the IAM (being members). It's the loons in charge you really have to worry about.Is speed the main reason for road accidents?? Or is it:
people on there mobiles? people falling asleep? people eating/drinking/smoking etc..? Poor weather conditions? old people that simply cause people to crash? young people who simply crash? women doing there makup etc on the way to work? men driving with there knee's while stretching? cars that arn't safe to be on the roads? bloody immigrants that have no insurance, tax or MOT, and nicked the car? dozy sods that are just crap at driving and pull-out/stop/swerve etc when they shouldn't? Drunk drivers? drugged drivers? celebs that buy 500bhp cars, but can't drive? road rage? the list goes on, feel free to add to it..
people on there mobiles? people falling asleep? people eating/drinking/smoking etc..? Poor weather conditions? old people that simply cause people to crash? young people who simply crash? women doing there makup etc on the way to work? men driving with there knee's while stretching? cars that arn't safe to be on the roads? bloody immigrants that have no insurance, tax or MOT, and nicked the car? dozy sods that are just crap at driving and pull-out/stop/swerve etc when they shouldn't? Drunk drivers? drugged drivers? celebs that buy 500bhp cars, but can't drive? road rage? the list goes on, feel free to add to it..
1) If the IAM really do believe that putting speed limiting computers in cars represents the safer future for motoring then they need to stop smoking the pipeweed.
2) If the friendly robots are destined to replace human skill behind the wheel then I guess we won't be needing the IAM in future either?
How did these plonkers end up on the "Motoring Forum" representing drivers? I don't suppose the general IAM membership elect the leadership to be so utterly supine to New Labour's ridiculous schemes.
2) If the friendly robots are destined to replace human skill behind the wheel then I guess we won't be needing the IAM in future either?
How did these plonkers end up on the "Motoring Forum" representing drivers? I don't suppose the general IAM membership elect the leadership to be so utterly supine to New Labour's ridiculous schemes.
Edited by corozin on Saturday 3rd January 19:12
That was the last nail for me, plus finding out that I don't have an "IAM licence" for insurance purposes unless I pay a yearly membership fee.
I might not bother doing my test - I've done the training and my observer says I'm ready as well as another one who gave me a mock test.
While I appreciate and am thankful for the good work done by the groups and people, IAM headquarters can go fk themselves.
I might not bother doing my test - I've done the training and my observer says I'm ready as well as another one who gave me a mock test.
While I appreciate and am thankful for the good work done by the groups and people, IAM headquarters can go f
k themselves.Took both the children to Police/IAM lectures at various times when they were teenagers. Was a bit worried then about the thinking of some of the members (One was outraged, with photos, to be overtaken by a Smart
on a dual carriageway
just before the NSL resumed
).
Father was an early member and daughter is now a lapsed member but never did more than an assessed drive (OK) myself.
on a dual carriageway just before the NSL resumed). Father was an early member and daughter is now a lapsed member but never did more than an assessed drive (OK) myself.
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