Speed limiters for company cars!

[Wizzo]

A report commissioned by the government has recommended speed-limiting company cars to reduce emissions

The Commission for Integrated Transport has released a report to the government with some radical recommendations for reducing carbon emissions. They propose offering companies tax breaks, cheaper insurance and reduced fuel costs if they fit a new speed limiting device to their company fleet.

The system, called Intelligent Speed Adaptation uses a GPS to read the national speed limit and prevent the car from accelerating past it. It costs around £1,100 to fit it, but cost would fall sharply if demand increased. It is possible to manually over-ride the system, but this is logged electronically each time it happens. One member of the government-appointed commission expressed fears about the safety of the system, forcing un-limited cars to overtake.

The commission's report also included other proposals for reducing pollution. They suggested doubling the vehicle excise duty for the worst polluting cars, and raising fuel prices. They said that stricter enforcement of the 70mph limit on motorways would save in wasted fuel, and recommended including economical driving in the driving test.

[Neil.P]

How about getting rid of some of the pointless traffic lights that keep popping up to "reduce emissions". Bloody scandalous.

Neil.P

[Dare]

How about getting rid of some of the pointless traffic lights that keep popping up to "reduce emissions". Bloody scandalous.

Neil.P

Neil,over here the traffic lights are so out'of sync
if you catch 1 light you catch them all

[cosworth151]

I had one company van that was "speed limited". It didn't have any special equipment. All Dodges are that way!

That slug couldn't get out of it's own way.

[SennaMan]

yeap, the push is on for ALL cars to be fitted with electronic devices to not only monitor and control speed but also so authorities and insurance companies can access the information to prosecute, charge tolls, decide claims, track whereabouts and driving habits but even stop the car and lock the doors!

Big Brother is alive and well so enjoy ya "freedom" while you can.

[Scott]

Sounds like a new market for ingenuity - disable the units and clone them to follow around a local police car or taxi.

[cosworth151]

Along the same line, AutoWeek has reported a new feature of GM's OnStar system:

Car thieves will want to make a special note to avoid General Motors cars and trucks equipped with OnStar in the future.

Starting with the 2009 model year, OnStar-equipped GM vehicles will add Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, a technology that prevents a stolen car from accelerating once activated by OnStar in coordination with police.

All other functions -- steering, braking, even the OnStar advisor's voice telling the occupant that a police officer will soon be appearing -- continue to operate normally as the stolen vehicle slows to a stop.