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Device Stops Speeders From Inside Car

frdmfghtr writes "CNN reports that the Canadian government is testing a new anti-speeding device." From the article: "The system being tested by Transport Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Department of Transportation, uses a global positioning satellite device installed in the car to monitor the car's speed and position. If the car begins to significantly exceed the speed limit for the road on which it's traveling the system responds by making it harder to depress the gas pedal, according to a story posted on the Toronto Globe and Mail's Website."

3 of 781 comments (clear)

  1. Full Monty by fembots · · Score: 1, Redundant

    making it harder to depress the gas pedal

    Why doesn't this monitoring device simply slow the car down to the legal speed limit by cutting off gas?

    1. Re:Full Monty by nincehelser · · Score: 1, Redundant

      Because sometimes it is necessary to exceed the speed limit (e.g. a medical emergency). Making it hard to press down on the pedal is just more feedback to the driver that they may be going too fast...kind of like speed bumps and rumble strips. They don't want to force the car to go slower...just to inform the driver that they're going too fast.

    2. Re:Full Monty by TCQuad · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Why doesn't this monitoring device simply slow the car down to the legal speed limit by cutting off gas?

      You don't want a permanent "you may only go the speed limit" restriction. There are times (driving a ill or injured person to the hospital, for instance) that you need to speed.

      All this does is remind people gently what the speed limit is and make them conscious of the fact they're breaking the law.