Comments on: Trials of car speed-limiting on the way

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:31:59 +0000

I think the best application of this technology would be to tie it in with the car cruise control. if the speed was completely restricted it would cause too many problems as already stated. But to travel at the max alotted speed automatically by cruise control would be a good feature, and i’d think would stop most people from speeding in and around the city.

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:15:01 +0000

I'm a bit surprised that everyone seems to be quick on the negative connotations.

I would have thought that the positive implications it would have on accidents and road tolls would far exceed the potential negatives. School zones are an excellent example: I'm sure most people speed through them through sheer ignorance. It should be trivial to instruct a modern GPS-enabled device (TomTom, Windows Mobile, etc) with dates, times, and locations of schools zones and adjust their speed limiter appropriately.

In my experience the excuse of "speed up to get away from danger" is used far too often to justify excessive engine power and speeds. More information from the truck industry and the effect that speed limiters have had would be very informative.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:42:51 +0000

If it slows you down to the speed limit then its like a sort-of automatic cruise controller type dealy. This is a really bad idea in my opinion, because it may crap you out in an emergency like said above. If you need to speed up to get away from danger you might get caught out by this thing (unless they install an emergency over-ride button in the steering wheel?)

What 'ADZ' said, I totally agree: too many q's.

By: Adz

Adz — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:26:24 +0000

What if a truck is chasing you like in the movie 'Duel', how do you get away? mmm must be showing my age.

Will the GPS know about construction speed limits?

What about timed speed limits? High street around the corner from me is 40km/h 7am - 7pm.

Then there's school zone's, will it allow you to go over the speed limit in a school zone on a public holiday?

ahhh....too many questions come to mind.

By: Mr. Crash

Mr. Crash — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:09:25 +0000

When I overtake people, I think it's sometimes safer to do so as quickly as I can...

If this means the speed limit is literally the limit, I can see this being problematic.

If it's got a little tolerance, then that should be ok... Even though I too, think it's of dubious merit letting a machine drive other peoples cars.

Though on the other hand, would be an interesting defense when someone does break it and gets a fine "But the GPS said I was ok..."