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EU Proposes To Fit Cars With Speed Limiters

Posted by samzenpus on from the slow-down dept.

schwit1 points out a new EU road safety measure to fit cars with devices that would stop them going over 70mph. "Under the proposals new cars would be fitted with cameras that could read road speed limit signs and automatically apply the brakes when this is exceeded. Patrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary, is said to be opposed to the plans, which could also mean existing cars are sent to garages to be fitted with the speed limiters, preventing them from going over 70mph. The new measures have been announced by the European Commission's Mobility and Transport Department as a measure to reduce the 30,000 people who die on the roads in Europe every year. A Government source told the Mail on Sunday Mr McLoughlin had instructed officials to block the move because they 'violated' motorists' freedom. They said: 'This has Big Brother written all over it and is exactly the sort of thing that gets people's backs up about Brussels.'"

2 of 732 comments (clear)

  1. Actual quote from EU spokesman by __aarzwb9394 · · Score: 5, Informative
    Instead of rabidly anti-EU British papers.

    relevant quote from EU spokesman:

    “There is a currently consultation focusing on speed-limiting technology already fitted to HGVs and buses. “Taking account of the results, the Commission will publish in the autumn a document by its technical experts which will no doubt refer to ISA among many other things.”

  2. What is this trash doing on Slashdot? by AC-x · · Score: 5, Informative

    What is this trash doing on Slashdot? Seriously the whole article is utter crap, there are no plans for any kind of speed limiters to be fitted to vehicles.

    Here's the full quote from the EU commission in question:

    The Commission has not tabled – and does not have in the pipeline – even a non-binding Recommendation, let alone anything more.

    The Commission has supported past research into ISA. There is a current stakeholder consultation and study focusing on speed limiting technology already fitted to HGVs and buses. One aspect of that is whether ISA could in the long-term be an alternative.

    This is just standard right-wing anti-EU drivel. I think Reddit user Dwilip put it best:

    Standard Tory playbook by unknown junior minister looking for some cheap column inches.
    Find EU report
    Make up something ridiculous
    Claim you are going to block it
    Get your mate at the Torygraph to write about
    It never happens
    Say you personally stopped it
    Print it in you leaflets, cite Torygraph article as evidence