Proposed EU law wants speed limiters in our cars
I’ve read a disturbing article in the Daily Mail this week about the proposed EU mandate for all cars in the EU to be fitted with speed limiters. The plans call for a device to be implanted into your vehicle that automatically and involuntary applies the brakes if you drive over the speed limit.
The article explains that cameras will also be installed that will read road signs and speed limits for you, thus controlling your vehicle accordingly. If that’s the case, then I can see driver’s questioning why they should bother learning the rules of the road for themselves. Why not let the car or van think and drive entirely for you? Does this mean we are another step closer to fully autonomous vehicles?
The technology is called, ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ technology (ISA) and according to the Daily Mail article, will work by either satellites, which communicate limits automatically to cars from databases, or by using cameras to read road signs.
If this goes through, it is said that new cars will be sold with the new technology already installed and older ones will possibly be required to have it retro fitted before being allowed on the roads, so that no car will be allowed to travel faster than the current motorway speed of 70mph. I sure hope this proposal doesn’t come to pass. Why should total control of our driving be given over to our vehicles and in some respects given to the EU? I have read some comments from other readers and many feel that that this is a step too far for “Big Brother” now trying to invade our vehicles, keeping disturbingly closer surveillance of our every move.
A new road safety programme which aims to cut the high number of deaths attributed to traffic accidents by the year 2020 is the reason given by the European Commission as to the urgent need for this technology. The good news is that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin is said to be furious with the suggestion of this type of proposal and will fight to block it. Although, some think it has more to do with the large amount of money the government would lose out on in speeding fines if this proposal passes.
It also brings up safety concerns if we are unable to take back control of the vehicle in certain situations. I can think of many times when this technology would hinder not help avoid a dangerous accident. In any case, I am strongly in favour of allowing us to continue to make our own choices in and out of our vehicles. How do you feel about this? Let me know your views on this proposal via the blog site or my Twitter page.
To read the full Daily Mail article titled, “Britain fights EU's 'Big Brother' bid to fit every car with speed limiter” written by Glen Owen, please click here.
The article explains that cameras will also be installed that will read road signs and speed limits for you, thus controlling your vehicle accordingly. If that’s the case, then I can see driver’s questioning why they should bother learning the rules of the road for themselves. Why not let the car or van think and drive entirely for you? Does this mean we are another step closer to fully autonomous vehicles?
The technology is called, ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ technology (ISA) and according to the Daily Mail article, will work by either satellites, which communicate limits automatically to cars from databases, or by using cameras to read road signs.
If this goes through, it is said that new cars will be sold with the new technology already installed and older ones will possibly be required to have it retro fitted before being allowed on the roads, so that no car will be allowed to travel faster than the current motorway speed of 70mph. I sure hope this proposal doesn’t come to pass. Why should total control of our driving be given over to our vehicles and in some respects given to the EU? I have read some comments from other readers and many feel that that this is a step too far for “Big Brother” now trying to invade our vehicles, keeping disturbingly closer surveillance of our every move.
A new road safety programme which aims to cut the high number of deaths attributed to traffic accidents by the year 2020 is the reason given by the European Commission as to the urgent need for this technology. The good news is that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin is said to be furious with the suggestion of this type of proposal and will fight to block it. Although, some think it has more to do with the large amount of money the government would lose out on in speeding fines if this proposal passes.
It also brings up safety concerns if we are unable to take back control of the vehicle in certain situations. I can think of many times when this technology would hinder not help avoid a dangerous accident. In any case, I am strongly in favour of allowing us to continue to make our own choices in and out of our vehicles. How do you feel about this? Let me know your views on this proposal via the blog site or my Twitter page.
To read the full Daily Mail article titled, “Britain fights EU's 'Big Brother' bid to fit every car with speed limiter” written by Glen Owen, please click here.
Comments
Post a Comment