The Future?

[OneFootInTheGrave]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7803997.stm

Speed-limiting devices should be fitted to cars on a voluntary basis to help save lives and cut carbon emissions, according to a new report.

The government's transport advisers claim the technology would cut road accidents with injuries by 29%.

The device automatically slows a car down to within the limit for the road on which it is being driven.

at first - by choice... it is projected to reduce traffic casualties by 29% ( Labour has a number for everything )

or ?

there is a video inside, but I assume it won't work for people outside UK as it's BBC...

[Tattila the Hun]

Sure, but couple it with a carrot. 29% means nothing to people, they never believe they will be in an accident. I heard about this invention, where the driving computer regulates your speed, within the limits, so that you will hit a green light more often... Couple it with that.

[Traianvs]

Sometimes I'm forced to drive faster (on the autobahn for example) because everyone else is driving faster than the speed limit. Better to oblige everyone to have the device installed then!

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Traianvs
Sometimes I'm forced to drive faster (on the autobahn for example) because everyone else is driving faster than the speed limit. Better to oblige everyone to have the device installed then!

Wouldn't thier be an armed rebellion if the put a speed limit on the autobahn, Traianvs?

[Zkribbler]

The autobahn now has a speed limit?? Alas, the last bastion of unchained freedom in the world has fallen.

Meanwhile "Future Soon" by Jon Coulton:

[Traianvs]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
The autobahn now has a speed limit?? Alas, the last bastion of unchained freedom in the world has fallen.

Nein, I meant the Belgian freeway. My bad!

[Unimatrix11]

Well, about the autobahn: German freeways indeed do not have a speed limit in general. But the impression that you can drive as fast as you like on them is still not correct. First of all, most of them are only two lanes for each direction (sometimes 3, 4 is a total exception) - and the right one is usually blocked by trucks going 80km/h. You may not overtake on the right side, btw. And then, for about 50% of the track, you do have regional speed limits, which is mostly 120km/h. Overall, the approximate speed of, say, US-highways is about the same as on German autobahns. It really doesnt make much of a difference. But if you have the right car (which must be approved by the authotities- no racing cars, of course), and take it out during the right time (no traffic) and on the right segment of the autobahn (no limit), you can do 250 km/h if thats what you want - would be 100% legal (and i think thats insane, and shouldnt be).

[Ben Kenobi]

Speed limiting devices on cars are a disaster.

If the traffic conditions favour it I don't see why there should be speed limits at all. Of course that would mean people using their own judgment and sense, but we couldn't have that now could we?

[Nikolai]

A few years ago, I read that the cars of the future won't have any steering wheel. Everything will be controlled by a computer, in cooperation with a global network of some kind. It would make driving extremely efficient and safe, better for the climate, nearly no queues. And dull. Personally, I'll never set my foot in such a device.

[FrostyBoy]

This will just create an incentive for teens to hack the device and show off that they did so by over-taking everyone - causing an accident.

I have a better idea; get rid of cars. So many problems solved.

[DaShi]

I have an even better solution: Get rid of teens! Hi Ozzy.