more government control.
Transport Canada to Utilize Speed-Limiting Device that automatically slow down cars..
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canada
Transport Canada to Utilize Speed-Limiting Device that automatically slow down cars..
Transport Canada testing device to stop speeding
Elise Stolte, Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, February 01, 2008
EDMONTON -- Chronic speeders could find their cars automatically slowing down when they try to pass the posted speed limit if Paul Boase has his way.
The researcher with Transport Canada has been road-testing a device that combines a global positioning system and a speed map with a way to override the car's manual controls. He presented his findings at a traffic conference Thursday in Edmonton.
"The technology has the ability of just saying, 'OK the posted speed limit is 50, so we'll let you go 55, that's it,' " Boase said.
He tested the technology on 10 volunteers in the Ottawa area. In that test, the device was fixed so drivers found the gas pedal difficult -- though not impossible -- to press if they were over the limit.
The technology worked but speed maps would have to be developed for all roads before the device could be implemented nationally.
Theoretically, the device could come with every new vehicle, but the first application would likely be for habitual speeders, or drivers whose speeding causes a serious accident, he said.
A judge could suggest the offender apply for the device to be installed as part of a sentence, similar to the way drunk drivers can get an Ignition Interlock device now. Interlock requires drivers to pass a breath test before their car will start.
Ultimately, Boase hopes it can help change people's attitude toward speeding.
"What you basically find is for drivers who need (the device) the most, they like them the least," Boase said. "That's why habitual offenders might be the right place to start."
Transport Canada also has tested a device that gives a verbal warning when the driver speeds. They've held focus groups on why people speed and tested the effectiveness of several commercials that warn young drivers about the dangers of speeding.
Elise Stolte, Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, February 01, 2008
EDMONTON -- Chronic speeders could find their cars automatically slowing down when they try to pass the posted speed limit if Paul Boase has his way.
The researcher with Transport Canada has been road-testing a device that combines a global positioning system and a speed map with a way to override the car's manual controls. He presented his findings at a traffic conference Thursday in Edmonton.
"The technology has the ability of just saying, 'OK the posted speed limit is 50, so we'll let you go 55, that's it,' " Boase said.
He tested the technology on 10 volunteers in the Ottawa area. In that test, the device was fixed so drivers found the gas pedal difficult -- though not impossible -- to press if they were over the limit.
The technology worked but speed maps would have to be developed for all roads before the device could be implemented nationally.
Theoretically, the device could come with every new vehicle, but the first application would likely be for habitual speeders, or drivers whose speeding causes a serious accident, he said.
A judge could suggest the offender apply for the device to be installed as part of a sentence, similar to the way drunk drivers can get an Ignition Interlock device now. Interlock requires drivers to pass a breath test before their car will start.
Ultimately, Boase hopes it can help change people's attitude toward speeding.
"What you basically find is for drivers who need (the device) the most, they like them the least," Boase said. "That's why habitual offenders might be the right place to start."
Transport Canada also has tested a device that gives a verbal warning when the driver speeds. They've held focus groups on why people speed and tested the effectiveness of several commercials that warn young drivers about the dangers of speeding.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
Don't know which is worse - this or speed cameras in the UK.
I'd rather have intelligent cars that can dicate the speed for the given conditions. i.e. there are times where you can go above the posted limit and NOT cause any danger to yourself or anyone that could come your way (either by the car warning you about a car approaching a stop sign up ahead or backing out of a hidden driveway). However, excessive speeding is one that I would agree on having that device installed.
Either that or have variable speed limits. That'll definitely get people to start paying attention to the signs. Have the limit at 60km/h when it's clear and sunny and visibility is unlimited. Have the sign lower the speed limit as the conditions worse (50km/h when it's raining heavily, 30km/h when it's foggy etc)
I'd rather have intelligent cars that can dicate the speed for the given conditions. i.e. there are times where you can go above the posted limit and NOT cause any danger to yourself or anyone that could come your way (either by the car warning you about a car approaching a stop sign up ahead or backing out of a hidden driveway). However, excessive speeding is one that I would agree on having that device installed.
Either that or have variable speed limits. That'll definitely get people to start paying attention to the signs. Have the limit at 60km/h when it's clear and sunny and visibility is unlimited. Have the sign lower the speed limit as the conditions worse (50km/h when it's raining heavily, 30km/h when it's foggy etc)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,602
Likes: 271
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
In most cases, this is a good device, but there are some exceptions. A device that limits speeds while trying to pass on two-lane roads with oncoming traffic could cause a serious or fatal accident.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,602
Likes: 271
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
But speeding, of course, generates MORE than just fines.....there also are points on your license. And the fact is that, in most cases, the more speeding tickets you get, and the more points you accumulate, the closer you come to getting your license pulled.....and someone who doesn't drive can't generate ANY speeding revenue.
The counter-arguement to this might be......."Well, those who drive and speed with suspended or revoked licenses generate even MORE income because the fines are even higher. True, until they get locked up.....then, they are not only not generating revenue, but COSTING the state money as well.
And then, of course, there are the auto insurance companies. If speeding were ONLY a revenue issue for them as well, they, likewise, would WANT you to keep speeding and getting tickets so that you would pay higher premiums every six months. But, again, that is not the case. Get enough tickets, and enough points, and you could find yourself with your policy dropped, with other insurance companies also hesitant to take you on any ANY price. Then, you're stuck without insurance, even if you still have your license.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 11, 2008 at 05:43 AM.
It's a charade, mmarshall - yes, they don't want people to lose their licenses because then the revenue stops...
It's like taxing smoking to pay for govt programs - the govt doesn't REALLY want people to stop smoking - there's too much money at stake.
It's like taxing smoking to pay for govt programs - the govt doesn't REALLY want people to stop smoking - there's too much money at stake.
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No way that it'll pass... There are too many instances when speed is necessary to get out of trouble. Imagine having a semi coming up on you with no intentions of stopping, but your car is limited to 55 MPH by the road... it happens a lot here in Florida... If you limit the cars to a specific range on the interstate then you might as well have just signed thousands of death warrants. 
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,414
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From: IL
In that sense, it's EXACTLY like the breathalysers that habitual drunk drivers can get installed in their cars (again, at their own expense) in order to retain their driving privileges. I don't have a problem with that either.
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