About a year and a half ago, we wrote about plans by transportation authorities in London to test a system that would force drivers to slow down if they were going over the speed limit. We haven’t heard much about the tests since then, but it appears that similar tests will soon get underway in Australia (found via TLF). The system involves a GPS-based device that would track where you are against a database of speed limits to determine if you were going over the limit. The system can be programmed to react in three ways. At the lowest level, it would beep at you if you’re speeding. A step up from there is where it would automatically cut the gas to slow you down, though there would be a manual override if the driver needed it. Then, there’s a third level, where there would be no manual override. It’s unclear how widespread the use of this device would be, but apparently there are some discussions about requiring it on all cars — or (more likely) just for repeat speeding offenders. As we noted when the London tests began, this is attacking the symptom (speeding) rather than the actual disease (bad driving).
We have cars like this in the United States, they’re called Fords.
That would double the price of the Tata.
I’m sure politician’s vehicles will be exempt. After all, they don’t have to follow the laws they enact. Case and point, my Governor, John Corzine, was involved in an accident that almost killed him. His NJSP Trooper driver was going 91mph to make a photo op at a press conference featuring Imus and the Rutgers, “nappy headed hoes” basketball team. Our fine Governor also wasn’t wearing his seatbelt.
Why don’t all cars have real-time mileage meters? That way, drivers could immediately see the effects of jack-rabbit starts, speeding, etc. These meters are great in hybrids, but hybrid owners are already aware of the need to reduce gas consumption (that’s why the bought the hybrid in the first place). Several studies have shown that a 30% reduction in gas consumption can be achieved this way; mpg meters would provide drivers with the feedback to make it possible.
It’s clear why car manufacturers wouldn’t want them – then they’d have to be honest with their mileage figures. I think this may be one case where a government regulation, requiring them in all vehicles (retrofitted to older ones, as well) would be justifiable.
Yo,cherax, my BMW 740iL does have a real-time mileage meter. It’s useful.
I figure the Australians are especially concerned about running out of oil because thats where the apocalyptic Mad Max series takes place, and they don’t want that kind of a future. Me, I don’t mind Mel Gibson.
i have no interest in driving but always thought it was odd that cars that are capable of achieving speeds above the legal limit are sold.
and motoring tv shows talk about how fast cars go as though its normal to have 150mph cars where you cannot legally drive that fast on public roads (as most drivers would be using them there..)
would it not make sense to have cars manufactured for use on public roads not able to achieve speeds in excess of the speed limit ?
Most of the commercial diesel trucks out there have mechanical governors that limit their speeds.
It has always got me that I can into a car and the speedo go to 220 km and the fast I can go is 110 km. Oh by the way all Australia Army trucks have governors fitted.
Nice image of the Mark 5!!
Trixie: Speed, did you spend all of your holiday bonus on those mag wheels? What was wrong with the old spokes?
Nah. That was the Honeymooners Meets Speed Racer. They never had such long lines in the dialog for Speed Racer. The dialog was much more like:
Speed: Huh?
Trixie: Oh!!
I saw on one of the many Discovery channels a show called beyond tomorrow some Ausie teens designed a concept car with Toyota. It restricted speed like that.
And it also had this wacky Star Treky display panel.
I see a fine opportunity for the independent mechanic industry here. A few “off-the-web” parts and your car is good to go, as fast as you like, non traceable of course.
Try going 70 in Nevada, NM or W TX. Even the cops don’t bother you unless you’re above 90 mph. Unless, of course, you don’t know about the speed trap towns. 🙂
speedtraps.com
“The system involves a GPS-based device that would track where you are against a database of speed limits to determine if you were going over the limit.”
=> Tomtom6 has this, and works pretty well.
Honestly, speed restrictions is a good thing, but it puts all weather conditions, traffic conditions, driver conditions, and car conditions on the same level.
hence, it’s 4am on a tuesday night, not a car in sight, i’m driving an audi a3 in mint conditions, and i’m supposed to be driving at 120km/h on a highway that is basically a straight line.
The same restriction that applies to someone driving an old fiat punto that has bad brakes, the road is wet, the guy isn’t such a good driver and there’s slight traffic…
If limited speeds are restricted by a digital apparatus, coefficients could be taken into account.
Face it, speed restrictions have been the same for 20+ years, but cars have changed so much since then …
If people don’t respect speed limits, maybe it’s because they aren’t correctly set.
My 94 caddy had one of those MPG monitors. I thaught it was a one of the best features on it along with my northstar engine capable of 140 MPH.
Why are people so hung up on speed…. There is nothing wrong with speeding as long as it is done responsibly. It is more about training people to drive fast and knowing how to handle themselves. Who are we trying to protect if I go 150mph on a highway at 3 am with no one around. Or 85mph with the flow of traffic on the AM commute. Go get the Weavers and the people driving in the fast lane with no one in front of them and an open right lane.
#16 – Ben,
The ones driving slowly in the left are so common, I have caught myself cursing under my breath as I cruise up the mostly unused right lane and someone gets in front of me and either slows down or fails to hit the gas, ‘Shit. Why did you get in the right lane if you weren’t going to pass?’