Big Brother speed control may hit Aust, NZ

[Andrew 30]

The Victorian and Queensland governments are evaluating a device that can automatically slow a speeding car using satellite technology.

The Australasian Intelligent Speed Adaptation initiative could be trialled in Victoria, the Herald Sun reported today.

All states and territory governments and the New Zealand government have been in talks to introduce of the system.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon, several Victorian ministers, a former Victorian coroner and 45 other participants would be the first to try the speed reduction system, the report said.

Other trials are planned this year in NSW and Western Australia, the report said.

The technology uses GPS and a database that identifies speed limits on all roads and operates on three levels.

Drivers get an audible warning they are over the limit at level one.

At level two, the device cuts power to the engine to prevent the driver from speeding, but the system can be adjusted or overridden.

At level three, the system cannot be switched off or adjusted and all speeding is cut.

The device could be fitted to repeat speeding offenders, or to all vehicles.

A spokeswoman for Roads Minister Tim Pallas would not confirm any trial, but Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel said his government was involved in the talks.

"Technology is evolving all the time with these things, and my view with road safety is to see what the latest technology is and see if we can improve safety.

Queensland Transport vehicle safety consultant Michael Paine said the system could cut the number of serious accidents by 20 per cent.

The Herald Sun quoted an unnamed Victorian government website, which estimated the number of fatalities could be cut by almost 60 per cent if it was fitted to all cars.

The system would cost between $A700 and $A2000 per vehicle and would first be fitted to fleet cars, the Herald Sun said.

[Mark 178]

Well, if they introduce that device in Victoria expect it to happen soon after here in NZ because our govt models their road policing on the Victorian system. (Which has the strictest speeding laws in Australia, but also the highest yearly road toll....go figure!)

[kiwi535 538]

great,imagine this thing cutting in half way through an overtaking manouevre.

[Guest Simon*]

great,imagine this thing cutting in half way through an overtaking manouevre.

I agree! Sounds like just the thing the current commie govt would like to thrust upon us!

But I don't doubt that if this technology rolls around so will methods of jamming or obscuring the signal - if it's GPS based, coverage is very easily "lost"

[Grant 4]

I am in completely agree with 3pedals, i think that this sums it up well.

Cheers

Grant

[Grant 4]

Whoops, excuse my terrible english in the post above.

[nz320i 0]

Nothing an electronics savey person couldn't fool easily...not saying its all a bad idea, but there has to be common sense, are we all going to pass at 110kmh?

Edited January 9, 2008 by Chris C

[joel 0]

Next step these devises will be getting us tickets!

[Old_Skool_Bmw 0]

Who will fund the cost to install the units into the cars?

Wait.. the government will probably use taxpayer money to fund satelite dishes to track the 2,000,000 plus GPS units fitted to cars in NZ. they might need to hold onto that surplus instead of giving a 'tax break' next year.

Laurence.

[ducatiss 1]

Given the history of this and previous governments (especially this one) they tend to take the easiest and cheapest route (look at the mind numbing road safety ads vs the more effective road safety training) so I cant see the govt paying for these things to be fitted. The cost would also probably outweigh the cost of the road toll at least in the short term and govt's generally think "cost" and "short term".

So the cost would be paid for by the motorist. I can't see that happening on a large scale, but perhaps being fitted to repeat offenders and ordered through the courts at sentencing. This might change as the cost of the technology drops.

I'm not familiar with how this particular unit works but yes, it would be fairly easy to over-ride I would imagine by either by-passing the unit or tampering with the reception to the GPS unit. However these tamperings would also be easy enough to record in the unit (if the unit is capable) and retrieve by the authorities at later date. The easy way here for the govt would be to impose huge fines for those caught.

There are already GPS tracking systems in use here for many of the trucking companies so that the trucks whereabouts can be seen at any time. It will also track their speed.

Edited January 9, 2008 by ducatiss

[greenday-rulz21 6]

I can't see that happening on a large scale, but perhaps being fitted to repeat offenders and ordered through the courts at sentencing. This might change as the cost of the technology drops.

I agree with what you're saying but, families usually have more than one car, so the offender could take the other car, or borrow one so they're not 'followed' by Big Brother.

I'm asking the same question as kiwi535, is there going to be a tollerance level (Apart from verbal warnings) so you can pass a car or a slow truck, because surely they're not going to be pushing everyone to be driving at the same speed, so theres no need to pass. But thats probably the next stage. to be able to control every cars speed.

[ducatiss 1]

I agree with what you're saying but, families usually have more than one car, so the offender could take the other car, or borrow one so they're not 'followed' by Big Brother.

Yes that is entirely possible, and there is no "perfect way around this" other than shooting the offender! It could be directed by the court that the offender must drive with a particular unit fitted, or drive a nominated vehicle that has one fitted. If caught driving mummy's car and it wasnt reported stolen, then confiscate it.

There are probably hundreds of ways around any law, (thats what you pay good lawyers for) and I am personally not in favour of having my driving monitored. But that is not a reason to just do nothing.

[OLLIE 26]

3 pedals summed it up well.

it's very sad to see that prodrive can't continue because of funding, man it winds me up the stupidity of this government when it comes to road safety.

I tried to get in touch with LTSA etc to discuss how car clubs such as bimmersport can help with educating so called 'boy racers' because they are more likely to listen to what clubs say that what the ads on TV or the police say. but ... after being transfered to about 10 different people i gave up, it's bollocks.

[ducatiss 1]

3 pedals summed it up well.

it's very sad to see that prodrive can't continue because of funding, man it winds me up the stupidity of this government when it comes to road safety.

I tried to get in touch with LTSA etc to discuss how car clubs such as bimmersport can help with educating so called 'boy racers' because they are more likely to listen to what clubs say that what the ads on TV or the police say. but ... after being transfered to about 10 different people i gave up, it's bollocks.

I don't think that common sense comes into it Ollie more's the pity. This govt would rather spend millions on preserving whales than road users.

[jpp 0]

I tried to get in touch with LTSA etc to discuss how car clubs such as bimmersport can help with educating so called 'boy racers' because they are more likely to listen to what clubs say that what the ads on TV or the police say. but ... after being transfered to about 10 different people i gave up, it's bollocks.

Good on you for trying! Great idea! IMO, don't give up!

LTSA bassed in Wellington? If an AK office, you and Andrew should pop in one day!

[bumpstop325 0]

Based in Pamly nth

[Guest Simon*]

Based in Pamly nth

That sums it all up really. One of the biggest holes in this country

[Mavrick 0]

That sums it all up really. One of the biggest holes in this country

Haha thats a bit rough, some of us have to live here.

[Braeden320 0]

That sums it all up really. One of the biggest holes in this country

Can think of worse places to live

[Guest Simon*]

I'm sorry and no offence to you guys - but I used to live there, and I hated it. Bigtime

But my counsellor says I'm doing heaps better now

[Braeden320 0]

I'm sorry and no offence to you guys - but I used to live there, and I hated it. Bigtime

But my counsellor says I'm doing heaps better now

Real? Why's that can I be rude enough to ask?

I work in the CBD but live in the country, so not as bad.

Main problem I have with it is a lack of beachs and lakes to Jetski at!!!

[Guest Simon*]

Real? Why's that can I be rude enough to ask?

I work in the CBD but live in the country, so not as bad.

Main problem I have with it is a lack of beachs and lakes to Jetski at!!!

Ah mate I've said enough and don't really want to get into it before I offend everyone but it's always been a nothing town to me. No character, windy shitty weather. Not near the coast, not on a nice river of any note, boring countryside. It's only real claim to fame is having a varsity that specialises in teaching people to put their arm up a cow.

I hope all you Palmy Northians still love me after this I'm a nice guy honest! Just never really enjoyed my 3 or so years there

E: Also, if it's any consolation I feel the same about Hamilton. Bypass, thank you!

Edited January 10, 2008 by Simon*

[Braeden320 0]

Ah mate I've said enough and don't really want to get into it before I offend everyone but it's always been a nothing town to me. No character, windy shitty weather. Not near the coast, not on a nice river of any note, boring countryside. It's only real claim to fame is having a varsity that specialises in teaching people to put their arm up a cow.

I hope all you Palmy Northians still love me after this I'm a nice guy honest! Just never really enjoyed my 3 or so years there

E: Also, if it's any consolation I feel the same about Hamilton. Bypass, thank you!

Hey each to there own ay man its allgood.

[Guest Simon*]

Hey each to there own ay man its allgood.

Yeah

it's only one bloke's opinion. I don't take myself too seriously and being from Dunedin I fully expect everyone to rip into my hometown too - I can take it

[cainchapman 0]

Ahh, see, that's your problem Simon. If you'd been from Canterbury, you'd have loved Palmy.

As both Universities teach you to sleep with Animals.

Palmy has some decent pubs and has a race-track nearby.

Wouldn't want to live there, but I do enjoy my business trips there.

Without Tim and his 4 Vet-nurse flat mates, I'm low on drinking associates now.