Sunday, July 03, 2005

This is a little spooky

From the UK's Sunday Times Online, someone has fitted cars with devices that allow a satellite to slow your car down if it is exceeding the posted speed limit:
Forget cameras - spy device will cut drivers’ speed by satellite

Dipesh Gadher, Transport Correspondent

It is the ultimate back seat driver. Motorists face having their cars fitted with a “spy” device that stops speeding.

The satellite-based system will monitor the speed limit and apply the brakes or cut out the accelerator if the driver tries to exceed it. A government-funded trial has concluded that the scheme promotes safer driving.

Drivers in London could be among the first to have the “speed spy” devices fitted. They would be offered a discount on the congestion charge if they use the system.

The move follows a six-month trial in Leeds using 20 modified Skoda Fabias, which found that volunteer drivers paid more attention as well keeping to the speed limit. More than 1,000 lives a year could be saved if the system was fitted to all Britain’s cars, say academics at Leeds University, who ran the trial on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT).

(Found via DrudgeReport.com
Yeah, I can't wait until that gets here...