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SATELLITE CONTROL MAKES ZOMBIE DRIVERS
10/08/2006
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, 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 understands 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.”
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