Speed limiters around the corner

Jan 5 2009 Ian Johnson

Speed limiters around the corner

GOVERNMENT transport advisers claim speed-limiting technology would cut road accidents by 29 per cent.

Such is the importance of a recent report that Britain could soon see speed-limiting devices fitted to cars on a voluntary basis to help save lives and cut carbon emissions.

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

But the devices are branded dangerous by road safety charity Safe Speed which says limiters encourage drivers to enter a "zombie mode".

Nevertheless, ministers are planning to help councils draw up digital maps with details of the legal speed on every road.

The speed-limiting devices will then use satellite positioning to check a vehicle's location and when its speed exceeds the limit, power will be reduced and the brakes applied if necessary.

It stands to sense that limiters will help drivers immensely in 30 and 40mph areas and if they eventually become a legal requirement will see the demise of many speed cameras.

But where will it all end? The systems are ready to slow your car down and it is almost certain they will soon be able to tell exactly where a certain car is at a particular time.

Shades of big brother here, but if the technology is in place you can be sure it will happen.