Bill to limit Canadian cars to 93 mph seems stuck in neutral
When it comes to cars, they do things a bit differently in Canada. While our neighbor to the north has long been considered more progressive than the U.S., it was the United States that introduced pollution controls, and until recently, Canada never actually had any rules requiring them. The same goes for fuel efficiency standards. A couple of years ago, the government of Ontario passed a law that could result in automatic confiscation of your car if you exceeded a speed limit by more than 50 km/h (31 mph). This was done to attack the problem of street racing. Member of parliament Jim Karygiannis apparently wants to make sure no one gets their car confiscated by making it impossible to drive that fast. Back in February, Karygiannis introduced a bill that, if passed, would make it illegal to sell, import, build or even loan a vehicle to someone unless said ride is fitted with a speed limiter restricting its maximum velocity to no more than 150 km/h, or 93 mph. So far, the bill has not proceeded past first reading, and it hasn't even gone to committee -- good news for Canadian drivers, to be sure. Frankly, there doesn't appear to be any widespread support for Jim Karygiannis's meddlesome legislation. Karygiannis actually introduced a similar bill during the previous parliamentary session, but that one never got past first reading, either. Maybe he should have taken the hint back then. Thanks to Steve for the tip!
[Source: Parliament of Canada]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
chconline 2:03PM (9/19/2009)
What if I am at a track?
That's pathetic.
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PercyPricksworth 2:15PM (9/19/2009)
This could be done like in the Nissan GT-R sold in Japan which deactivates the speed lock based on your GPS position when you enter a track. It ist usually limited to ~100MpH on regular roads. I fear the day when eco fascists have their say in Germany.
Besides that this member of parliament seems to have a very swiss angst of speed - depite his greek name.
chconline 2:20PM (9/19/2009)
Yeah I know that feature exists on the GT-R. But for one thing, those are only for pre-programmed and known tracks (Ie., if a new track was built, or at some private property that's not a known track) then you'll be limited to a pathetic little 150km/h which even a Honda Fit can reach without much problems.
Plus not every car is equipped with a GPS.
FSM 2:37PM (9/19/2009)
@ PercyPricksworth
Except this has nothing to do with ecofacism and everything to do with safety.
Mike P. 2:56PM (9/19/2009)
Please program Saskatchewan and Manitoba into the computer too. I believe most Canadian drivers will agree that Saskatchewan and Manitoba are just "the place you drive through to get from BC/Alberta to Ontario". 150 km/h just isn't fast enough for this purpose.
Motor_Yakuza 4:00PM (9/19/2009)
Give me a brake, that's another way to make people feel like lab mice. Jim Karygiannis should go shoot himself.
Capn Silly Pickle 7:23PM (9/19/2009)
Arr...or if that not be workin', I be sure t'ere be plenty o' pirates ta volunteer dem services ta make Cap'n Jim walk da plank. What kin'o man gives up da right to sail da ocean seas as she pleasures arrr...me ol' mudder would be smakin' he ass . He's an old bilge rat! He musta grow'd up wit'out a rudder that twas his own...gar. Dik wad.
tankd0g 9:33PM (9/19/2009)
So add another $1500 to every car in addition to the useless TPMS and immobilizer system. Insurance companies really do run government.
Tabajara Labs 2:11PM (9/19/2009)
This **must** be a joke, just like the bill restricting speed to 50MPH.
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adam1drift 4:11PM (9/19/2009)
I think it’s a great idea… for Canada.
GO Jim Karygiannis!!!
paul34 2:13PM (9/19/2009)
Because driving recklessly at 93 MPH is ok, but 94 MPH is too dangerous. Gotta save you from yourself, peon!
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Farmboy 2:14PM (9/19/2009)
Damn metric system. haha
Farmboy 2:49PM (9/19/2009)
For the sake of today, what would that be in nautical miles per hour?
why not the LS2LS7? 3:18PM (9/19/2009)
Aaarmost exactly 81 knots, matey.
ugg.tryptophan 6:34PM (9/19/2009)
Screw you Jim Karygiannis!
Evan 12:57PM (9/20/2009)
Most street racing occurs on city streets, where a 150km/h limit will have no effect.
Haven't they learned from skateboarders - the most effective way to control skateboards was building skate parks. Likewise, the most effective way to control street racers should be giving street racers a track that's close, cheap, safe, and legal. Toronto Motorsports Park is too far away from Toronto and is too expensive. It's the street or nothing.
Scorch 2:16PM (9/19/2009)
By his logic we should reenact prohibition to prevent drunk driving. What a joke. I bet someone in his family owns a company that builds and installs speed limiters.
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sw 2:16PM (9/19/2009)
I really do despise politicians who propose these things without thinking them through, first the douchebag Michael Bryant. And now this guy.
Oh please tell us Mr. politician earning six figures or more, are you going to pay for these controls that are different from the rest of the world out of your own pocket?
I certainly don't want to pay for them and neither do the car companies.
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KA 5:23PM (9/19/2009)
I agree with your basic premise, that it's silly to require different laws that just cost automakers (although, realistically, they already do that). But I really doubt (esp with new cars) that this is that costly. It's essentially a different software flash at the factory.
sw 9:09PM (9/19/2009)
If it's a simple software issue, it will be defeated in days (if not hours) after a car comes out with this tech. I'd imagine it'd go beyond that.