Safe Speed issued the following PR at 09:08 this morning:
PR342: Satellite control makes zombie drivers
news: for immediate release
The real reason for the recently announced speed limit review is the intention
to introduce satellite control of vehicle speeds, it emerged today.
So called 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' (ISA) is a black box installed in a
vehicle that holds a map of all speed limits, determines your position from
satellite signals and adjust the throttle - or even applies the brakes - to
prevent your vehicle from exceeding the speed limit.
The system is being developed at Leeds University, who are years behind in
terms of publishing the results of recent trials. They have spent millions of
pounds of Department for Transport money and evaluating their own results. No
risk of bias there then.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(
www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "I'm amazed to hear of a second deadly mistake by
Department for Transport within as many days. Initial trials from Leeds clearly
demonstrated the dangers of the system as drivers paid less attention,
tailgated more and pulled into smaller gaps."
"Anyone who understand safe driving will know that safety depends on drivers
being fully engaged in the task. With ISA ordinary motorists will turn into
zombies with their foot planted to the floor, trusting the satellite to control
their speed. They will not be as ready to deal road hazards. They will behave
like zombies."
"Department for Transport policies have failed and now they want to do much
much more of the same. Safe Speed estimates that 8,000 have already died of
'bad policy' on British roads, because DfT policies have made drivers worse and
caused a loss of trend in the fatal accident rate. Who is going to stop them
before it's too late?"
"Since the introduction of HGV speed limiters, deaths amongst HGV drivers have
risen alarmingly."
"Satellite speed control is anything but intelligent. Remember there is no such
thing as a safe zombie."
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