Comments on: Speed Limiting in Cars http://www.davesgonemental.com/speed-limiting-in-cars/ Work, travel and irreverence Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:00:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Davehttp://www.davesgonemental.com/speed-limiting-in-cars/comment-page-1/#comment-17250 Dave Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:37:12 +0000 http://www.davesgonemental.com/?p=472#comment-17250 An interesting response, Simon. And perfectly valid. The problem is that we have to deal with the psychology of people - they want to drive as fast as possible, and will do so. With speed limiters it just means they'll soon get in the habit of driving absolutely everywhere with their foot mashed down on the throttle. I'm not entirely sure that's a good idea.... An interesting response, Simon. And perfectly valid. The problem is that we have to deal with the psychology of people – they want to drive as fast as possible, and will do so. With speed limiters it just means they’ll soon get in the habit of driving absolutely everywhere with their foot mashed down on the throttle. I’m not entirely sure that’s a good idea….

]]> By: Simon Dicksonhttp://www.davesgonemental.com/speed-limiting-in-cars/comment-page-1/#comment-17249 Simon Dickson Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:58:14 +0000 http://www.davesgonemental.com/?p=472#comment-17249 I'm as a big a fan of Top Gear as anyone. But I'm entirely behind the speed limiting proposal, for one simple reason you haven't really covered.And it's this. Speed limits exist.There's already a device in every car which is meant to limit its speed: the driver, or more accurately perhaps, his/her conscience. But he/she needs help.Think about it. Cars are designed to break the law (ie go over 70). They are routinely marketed on their ability to break the law. And the only thing stopping you from breaking the law is the angle of incline of your right foot. A mild twitch, a matter of millimetres, and you're a criminal: there's no mechanical 'safety catch'.And, get this - to see what speed you're actually doing, to ensure you're staying legal, you actually have to take your eyes off the road. What do you do: watch the traffic around you, or watch the little needle on the dashboard?There are arguments about the appropriateness of the limits in force (eg 70 on the motorway). But if speed limits are right in principle, and I don't hear anyone saying they aren't, then cars should be built to recognise them. I've only recently joined the world of satnav, and I'm amazed how accurate it is. The tech is ready to tell you what limit you should be doing, and if necessary, implement it forcefully. I’m as a big a fan of Top Gear as anyone. But I’m entirely behind the speed limiting proposal, for one simple reason you haven’t really covered.

And it’s this. Speed limits exist.

There’s already a device in every car which is meant to limit its speed: the driver, or more accurately perhaps, his/her conscience. But he/she needs help.

Think about it. Cars are designed to break the law (ie go over 70). They are routinely marketed on their ability to break the law. And the only thing stopping you from breaking the law is the angle of incline of your right foot. A mild twitch, a matter of millimetres, and you’re a criminal: there’s no mechanical ‘safety catch’.

And, get this – to see what speed you’re actually doing, to ensure you’re staying legal, you actually have to take your eyes off the road. What do you do: watch the traffic around you, or watch the little needle on the dashboard?

There are arguments about the appropriateness of the limits in force (eg 70 on the motorway). But if speed limits are right in principle, and I don’t hear anyone saying they aren’t, then cars should be built to recognise them. I’ve only recently joined the world of satnav, and I’m amazed how accurate it is. The tech is ready to tell you what limit you should be doing, and if necessary, implement it forcefully.

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