Safe Speed Forums

Dumb cars cost lives, says chip firm

TECHNOLOGY that could make driving safer and more eco-friendly is being held back because of a lack of political will, according to one of the leading manufacturers of vehicle chips. [ ]

Steve Wainwright, Freescale general manager for Europe, said technologies such as airbags and anti-lock braking had already helped cut road deaths in Britain from around 8,000 in 1970 to 2,500 in 2009.

That was a great achievement, considering that the number of cars soared over the same period, but it means that on average about 50 people a week are still being killed.

"I read last week that 339 UK soldiers there have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, which is obviously a tragedy. But in the same period there has been around 20,000 deaths on the road in the UK. It's a challenge to us all but it seems to be something we think we must live with."

The take-up of options on new cars has shown that buyers are more interested in features such as leather seats and alloy wheels that in safety and ecology. This means the market can not be relied upon to drive the change.

Measures like car-to-car communication and radar could reduce vehicle collisions, especially if they were operating within an intelligent transport system (ITS) that could warn of dangers ahead.

The benefits of an ITS extended far beyond safety. It could help you find a parking space, or avoid traffic jams, road works, or poor driving surfaces.

But it could also be used to enforce eco-friendly driving, which would not be universally welcomed. It has been estimated that up to 19 per cent of fuel could be saved simply by taking more efficient routes, and so-called 'eco-driving' to minimise consumption could save an average 11.7 per cent.

Wainwright told the Future World Symposium in London that an ITS will come only when there is the political will to cut road deaths. "The squabble over who is to pay for it will continue unless there is pressure from some outside agency. I understand the social problem. Do we want to be able to drive completely irresponsibly and waste resources? It seems that we do." µ

Of course he would say things like that - he's trying to sell chips.

Of course he would say things like that - he's trying to sell chips.

Agreed. Take no notice of the fellow. He's got a vested interest so his views are largely invalid.

The misuse of technology - allied to a reduction in the ability of human beings to function decently from their own resouces - will be our downfall: and that's the way we're heading, I'm afraid.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

technologies such as airbags and anti-lock braking had already helped cut road deaths in Britain from around 8,000 in 1970 to 2,500 in 2009.