UK set to adopt vehicle speed limiters

[JOC Admin]

Speed limiting technology looks set to become mandatory for all vehicles sold in Europe from 2022, after new rules were provisionally agreed by the EU

Do you agree with this or not, will it save lives? 
Have your say now....vote in the poll

[watfordih]

I always use my speed limiter (to avoid accidentally speeding) but it is essential it can be very easily overridden when it is necessary to accelerate out of trouble (e.g. kick-down). It also needs to be linked to the actual speed limit where the car is being driven. A speed limiter set at 70 mph in the centre of London or 30 mph on a motorway would not be a lot of use. Also, motorway accidents are rarely due to actually exceeding the speed limit. They are usually due to lack of attention or sheer reckless driving or even falling asleep. Finally, I'm not sure how a speed limit related limiter would implemented on ALL cars at a reasonable cost.

[Jon Hyde]

Speed itself isn't the real issue. Inappropriate speed is the danger. High speed on an empty motorway shouldn't be a problem, but breaking or even driving at, the speed limit in other situations (outside shopping centres, schools, etc.), can be very dangerous.

But that's why drivers have brains and the ability to asses the situation and drive accordingly.

I would imagine these speed-limited cars will be unaware of fog, ice, children, crowds, sun glaring in the driver's eyes, etc.

For those reasons, I think they are a really bad idea, resulting in chains of cars all doing the speed limit regardless of whether it's safe to do so.

J

[Max Lloyd]

I support your comment Jon, 100%

[frankc]

I once drove down a busy road following a lorry hauling rocks.  A large chunk fell off the back and hit the road, bounced and flew into the air.  At this point I had 3 options.  Brake hard but I could tell if I did that it would hit me.  Do nothing with the same result or put my foot down.  With only a split second to make my choice I put my foot down.  It hit the road just in front. Bounced over my now fast moving car. Hit the road behind and took out the bumper of the car behind me.  If I had a limiter fitted I feel sure the rock would have come through my windscreen.

Alas this was the days before dash cams and I was so shook up by the whole incident I did not have the presence of mind to take the trucks number plate.  Apart from a mashed up bumper the driver and passengers were ok in the following car.  Though the driver did not take too kindly to me missing the rock by speeding up.  He tried to blame ME.   I just got in the car and drove off.  Heard no more.

Most Jags have limiters fitted anyway, though mine is limited to 150 mph............ :)

[Manniewinaename]

24 minutes ago, frankc said:

I once drove down a busy road following a lorry hauling rocks.  A large chunk fell off the back and hit the road, bounced and flew into the air.  At this point I had 3 options.  Brake hard but I could tell if I did that it would hit me.  Do nothing with the same result or put my foot down.  With only a split second to make my choice I put my foot down.  It hit the road just in front. Bounced over my now fast moving car. Hit the road behind and took out the bumper of the car behind me.  If I had a limiter fitted I feel sure the rock would have come through my windscreen.

Alas this was the days before dash cams and I was so shook up by the whole incident I did not have the presence of mind to take the trucks number plate.  Apart from a mashed up bumper the driver and passengers were ok in the following car.  Though the driver did not take too kindly to me missing the rock by speeding up.  He tried to blame ME.   I just got in the car and drove off.  Heard no more.

Most Jags have limiters fitted anyway, though mine is limited to 150 mph............ 🙂

Sheer luck. Nothing to do with what you did. Just how far behind a 50mph truck were you to enable you to speed up to "fast moving". The rock could have bounced lower, bounced even higher, bounced to the kerb. 

The simple fact is cars have improved massively, driving skills have not. Something has to be done. You only have to look at the amount of accidents on the M6 roadworks in a 50mph limit while being changed to a "smart" motorway. Speed limits are just that, a limit and not a target! Because it says 40mph does not mean everybody has to do 40mph. The slow cars pay road tax and the ferraris pay road tax.

It is a sheer lack of courtesy and patience that cause most accidents, as can be seen on many a dash cam warrior website.