External Speed Limiter Is Anything But Safe

dynamike

A new government-backed system that uses an engine limiter to force motorists to observe speed limits was introduced earlier this month in the UK.

The Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) device uses GPS and mapping to identify speed limits in any location. It then sends a warning signal warning the driver he is exceeding the speed limit. If the driver doesn’t slow down, the system will activate a limiter to retard the engine until the vehicle is within the speed limit.

If you think this new safety device is a good idea or that it won’t affect us in America, then you’ve really gotta get your head out of your ass.

The Motor Industry Research Association with funding from UK’s Department for Transport developed the system.

It was demonstrated on a motorcycle. The offending rider will hear two beeps when he goes over the limit. If he strays to 5 mph over the seat begins to vibrate. If he still doesn’t slow down, the throttle shuts until the bike slows to below or at the speed limit.

This violates all safety common sense that exists today.

Let’s say your riding in traffic and you have to accelerate to keep from being run over by that soccer mom yakking on her cell phone while driving her SUV full of screaming kids. You’re on a busy four-lane freeway. You have to find your escape route, accelerate at the right time, and drop off your acceleration to keep from running into someone in front of you or going into a corner too quickly.

This device first interrupts your concentration. If that wasn’t bad enough, it will kill your throttle altogether regardless of where you are. Losing power and speed in a corner unexpectedly can be fatal.

What’s worse is that you can’t open the throttle back up until you have dropped below the speed limit. This robs you of your control of the bike. You’re at the mercy of your surroundings.

A UK DfT Spokesperson said there were no plans to make the system compulsory. That’s the song they’re singing now. When will that change?

More importantly, when will people in America think this is a good idea? We’re already under fire over helmet laws since the NHSTA released its report on traffic fatalities for 2005, and some UK laws are already finding support in America. Legislation to regulate emissions in much the same way the Brits are doing it is gaining popularity with our lawmakers. This legislation will hurt small motorcycle builders and may even regulate what type of changes you can make to your bike after you buy it.

We may have failed to recognize that legislation in the UK would eventually migrate to America with the new emissions control laws. Ignoring this one could be fatal!

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A bad day riding is better than a good day at work!

HighTide

Yeah, I heard about this thing sounds nuts to me.This isn't the only outragous thing I heard about them planning to install.They sound similar to each other in that it takes controll away from the drivers.

stix

man that is wack what will they think of next?do they ever come out of thier cubicles and see the real world?how do these suckers get to work,they ever pay atention to other drivers on the road?or better yet they may be the other driver:eek:

tambermn

They have already developed a car that will drive itself so you got to figure the next step is a bike. God help us all. This takes away the driver's control; I have no idea what these people are thinking

bikerbaby

Do you think any of the people that developed this actually ride a bike? My guess is NO or they would not have developed something that could do more harm then help.

Rick

My guess is these folks never been on a road in anything period! How stupid can you be? This is dangerous for everyone involved on the roads anywhere. We may have to discuss the vibrating seat now :eek:

sams

I will only welcome the system if it would have been really "intelligent". Ir seems The Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) is anything but being intelligent. They forgot to add the human angle into the system. If they continue with this it can cause damage to the man and the machine.

Bossie

I also seen this thing somewhere but was talking about being put on cars. Either way it is really dumb ting to do or even talk about. Maybe they just need to put stiffer fines on excessive speeders?

flybikes

A speeding car is far more dangerous than a speeding bike and yet they always look at bikes as a problem. All of these disruptions while riding can only lead to more accidents and will in my opinion make riding less safe.

HarleyHarry

This is certainly not the only stupid things government comes up with here in the UK.
Variable speed limits with notification via overhead display. Means most of the time you're doing 40 MPH on a clear road and stuck in 5 miles of jam while the signs tell you that you can do 60.
Not so sure that the speed limiter will ever be introduced though. If everybody here sticks to the limit the counrty will go bust big time.
The amount of revenue from the fines will, if Gordon Brown becomes PM and the economy therefore nosedives, far exede the income from general taxation and limits all the fun things politicians can do with our hard earned cash.