Speed Controlled by GPS - New UK Project
New technology designed to make drivers more aware of their speed has been unveiled by a government-funded body in the UK. Yes, Big Brother is controlling you. The Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) device uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to work out the speed limits on a particular road, and makes warning beeps when the driver exceeds the maximum speed for the location. Hummm, doesn't speeding even a little bit and trying not to get caught rank up there with freedom of speech?
The system will sound an alarm if you go more than 5 MPH over the speed limit as well as vibrate their seat. The issue for some skeptics is that they feel this would put drivers into a subordinate role to teh driving system and that they wouldn't really pay attention. Paul Smith, founder of road charity Safe Speed saying: "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."
ISA technology exists in three forms: advisory, which alerts the driver to their speed, voluntary – where the device can control a driver's speed if necessary – and mandatory, whereby the car's speed can be restrained with no option to override the system.
So, who would use this voluntarily? I could easily see insurance premiums tied to a system like this and then you're dead. "Have one of these systems and you're OK, if not, your insurance just doubled." ouch.
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Posted by Scott Martin at August 15, 2006 10:26 AM
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