Forget cameras - spy device will cut drivers’ speed by satellite (Sunday Times of London)
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).
It is part of a two-year research project into “intelligent speed adaptation” (ISA), which the department is funding at a cost of £2m. Results of the initial trial will be presented to ministers this week. A study commissioned by London’s transport planners has recommended that motorists who install it should be rewarded with a discount on the congestion charge, which tomorrow rises to £8 a day.
Leaving aside the incredible invasion of privacy this represents and the havok system malfunctions or intentional sabatoge could cause, this is quite ironic. Drivers in London are paying an exorbitant fee for the priviledge of driving on congested roads because the government can't maintain an adequate infrastructure. Presumably, this means that drivers pine for merely being able to drive the speed limit, let alone exceed it. So, the government is rebating part of the penalty they are imposing for being unable to complete one of basic functions of government in order to get control of something they have no business controlling?
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Spy satellites to stop speeders from Black Sheep Press
Now, James denounces it as an invasion of privacy, but since, at least for now, it is voluntary, it isn't really an invasion of privacy at all. Is it beneficial? I highly doubt it. Is it a big waste of money that doesn't do anything to address the co... [Read More]
Tracked on July 4, 2005 1:46 AM
Sound like something that wouldnt work in Canada if the government couldnt make money off it.
What about people who already have a microchip implanted in their brains? Do we really need the spy device too?
Posted by: Mystery Meat at July 3, 2005 11:20 AMI propose the creation of a spy system that monitors the every movement of our politicians... and their media lackey friends too, come to think of it.
Posted by: Mississauga Matt at July 3, 2005 11:21 AMDoes that mean about "electronic bracelets" for Gagliano, Chretien and Martin?
Has a good ring to it, eh?
Lets hope there using micro$oft products, it will create a whole new market for viruses. First one up, Floor it!
Posted by: rob at July 3, 2005 11:47 AMtest
Posted by: Cal at July 3, 2005 1:24 PMSomewhere Orwell and Huxley are saying;" we told you so"....now repeat after mee: baaaa baaaa baaaaa.
Was Britain not the cradle of commonlaw civil rights. One of the strongest axioms being the right to the free use of the public hiways and the individual freedom of mobility? I suppose Statist are the same the world over...they'd all like to degnerate freedom to a point where you have to file a daily agenda with the bureaucracy before you leave your domicile in the morning.....I can see it coming. Best keep the means of revolution handy but out of big brother's gaze.
Posted by: WL Mackenzie at July 3, 2005 2:15 PMMikeP...not to worry..our gov't would not only grab the fine money from the system,they would tax us to run it!
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17000 people from 16 countries were recently asked "Suppose a young person who wanted to leave this country asked you to recommend where to go to lead a good life - what country would you recommend?"
Except for respondents in India, Poland and Canada, no more than 1 in 10 people in the other nations said they would recommend the US. Kind of screws with your typical right wing preconceptions which holds that Canadians hate the US. In fact the English view the US more unfavourably than Cdns. Not surprisingly Canada and Australia won the popularity contest, selected as first choice by several countries.
Posted by: doug at July 3, 2005 8:55 PMDid none of these Big Idiot Brothers ever have to actually speed up to avoid an accident? Sheesh.
Posted by: Linda at July 4, 2005 8:31 AMHave you been to London? The inner city is clogged with vehicles at all hours of the day. The government or local authority simply can't build enough roads to hold all the vehicles so that people can get where they're going in a reasonable amount of time. It doesn't help that London is an old city where some streets are no bigger than the width of your arms. I think their congestion charge is one of the best things, especially since when I blew my nose in London all I got was black snot from the pollution.
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