From: BillK (bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Wed May 28 2003 - 08:01:48 MDT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/2943380.stm
Research trials looking at how a group of drivers behave when their
speeds are controlled will begin in Leeds next week.
The research, piloted by the University of Leeds and a motor industry
research panel have modified 20 cars to examine how driving changes when
they use vehicles which detect and adhere to speed limits.
The trials will consider driver behaviour both with, and without, the
speed limiters in vehicles using global positioning technology which
tells the car where it is, and what the speed limit is.
Each time the limit on the road changes, the driver will be altered to
that change. The accelerator pedal then vibrates when the limit is
reached and the car cannot exceed the limit - unless the driver opts out
of the system by braking, stopping or accelerating.
Driver opt-outs are allowed by using buttons on the steering wheel or
using an over-ride kick down on the accelerator pedal.
Earlier research suggested that vehicles using an "intelligent speed
limiter" with a driver-select function could reduce fatal accidents by
19% and injury accidents by 10%.
20 cars have been equipped with the technology, each having a volunteer
driver for six months. There will be four sets of trials, involving 80
drivers in all.
-------------------------------
One commentator suggested that drivers might welcome this system if it
meant that they never had to pay another speeding fine or get speeding
offences on their record.
Government representatives are assuring everyone that there is no
intention to make this technology compulsory. What they might do is make
it compulsory for all government vehicles. Then all the government
vehicles would get in the way of ordinary vehicles and thus force them
to slow down also.
I found it interesting that the following story appeared on the very
same day.
BillK
---------------------------------
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2943488.stm
Speeders caught in hundreds
More than 1,100 drivers have been caught speeding on one of Scotland's
most dangerous roads in just five days. Mobile camera patrols caught
drivers exceeding the speed limit on the A77 between Glasgow and
Ayrshire. Most of those caught now face penalty points and a £60 fine.
However, Strathclyde Police said that in some cases reports will be
submitted to the procurator fiscal.
The drivers were detected during operations by the Strathclyde Safety
Camera Partnership which consists of Strathclyde Police, all 12 councils
within the division and the Scottish Executive. It identifies areas with
bad accident statistics and installs safety cameras to make the areas safer.
Chief Inspector David McConnell, of Strathclyde Police, said: "These are
very serious statistics indeed from the A77.
"The message has got to get out to drivers using the A77 that if you
speed you will get caught. This recklessness will not be tolerated.
"The attitude of a significant number of drivers is clearly unacceptable
and it is evident that they are willing not only to risk their own
safety but the safety of others by what borders on dangerous driving
standards."
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