Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Bill to limit Canadian cars to 93 mph seems stuck in neutral]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/19/bill-to-limit-canadian-cars-to-93-mph-seems-stuck-in-neutral/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/19/bill-to-limit-canadian-cars-to-93-mph-seems-stuck-in-neutral/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/19/bill-to-limit-canadian-cars-to-93-mph-seems-stuck-in-neutral/#commentsFiled under: ,

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]

Bill to limit Canadian cars to 93 mph seems stuck in neutral originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanada speed limiterCanadaSpeedLimiterjim KarygiannisJimKarygiannisspeed limitspeed limiterspeed limitersspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimiterSpeedLimitersSpeedLimitsSat, 19 Sep 2009 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/uk-tests-intelligent-speed-adaptation-tech-that-automatically/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/uk-tests-intelligent-speed-adaptation-tech-that-automatically/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/uk-tests-intelligent-speed-adaptation-tech-that-automatically/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Transport for London plans to begin a six-month trial of a new technology that will artificially limit the top speeds of taxis, buses and government fleet vehicles. Called Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), the system will keep track of speed limits all over London and prevent operators from accelerating past that legal limit. The device is capable of slowing the vehicle down regardless of the driver's wishes.

Alternatively, the system can be switched into an advisory mode that simply informs the driver when the speed limit has been reached. If these tests prove successful, it's likely that the ISA technology will be made available within the next 12 months to private motorists who wish to limit the top speed of their personal vehicles. So far, there's no indication that the government will mandate the use of the ISA system.

It's hoped that a large number of drivers will choose to equip their vehicles with the ISA technology. Transport for London believes that both accidents and road congestion would be drastically reduced, which would also have the desirable effect of reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

View Poll



[Source: Transport for London | Image: Edward Barnieh Photography]

Continue reading UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds

UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intelligent speed adaptationintelligent speed limiterIntelligentSpeedAdaptationIntelligentSpeedLimiterspeed limitspeed limiterspeed limiter englandspeed limiter ukspeed limitersspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimiterSpeedLimiterEnglandSpeedLimitersSpeedLimiterUkSpeedLimitsFri, 15 May 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Transport Canada to implement speed limiting device]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/09/transport-canada-to-implement-speed-limiting-device/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/09/transport-canada-to-implement-speed-limiting-device/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/09/transport-canada-to-implement-speed-limiting-device/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In an effort to thwart habitual speeding, Transport Canada has developed a new system that can make exceeding posted limits difficult or impossible. The device utilizes GPS and a speed limit map coupled with technology that caps a vehicle's top speed based on the legal speed of the road being traveled. Once the vehicle arrives at the predetermined speed limit, the device makes it very difficult to go any faster. For now, Canada is looking to slap this stingy speed governor on the vehicles of perpetual speeders and reckless drivers, but the technology could one day be used for all drivers. Lovely.

Luckily for drivers here in the States, a strict speed limit governor is just un-American, and legislators know it would be very unpopular politically suicidal to implement. Still, we're sure there'd still be some people willing to embrace technology like this. Heck, a lot of parents of 16 to 18 year-olds probably wouldn't mind purchasing this device to keep their teenagers in check.

[Source: Winding Road]

Transport Canada to implement speed limiting device originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivingspeed governorspeed limitsSpeedGovernorSpeedLimitsTransport CanadaTransportCanadaSat, 09 Feb 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hallelujah! Oklahoma busting slow drivers in left lane]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/11/hallelujah-oklahoma-busting-slow-drivers-in-left-lane/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/11/hallelujah-oklahoma-busting-slow-drivers-in-left-lane/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/11/hallelujah-oklahoma-busting-slow-drivers-in-left-lane/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If there is anything worse than someone doing tortoise-like speed in the left lane, it's someone doing tortoise-like speed in the left lane and driving next to someone doing tortoise-like speed in the right lane. Oklahoma State Troopers aren't having any more of it and have begun enforcing the state's left lane law.

Section 41-11-301 dictates that "Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane when available for traffic..." What this means is that unless you're doing at least the speed limit or are about to make a left turn, you need to stay out of the left passing lane or risk being pulled over by the guys with the flashing rooftop lights.

The OK troopers say this is about getting out of the way for police and emergency service vehicles who shouldn't have to wait for slower drivers to exit the left lane. But seeing that any rushing authority is usually going well over 65 MPH, and folks in the news video were being pulled over for doing 62, we don't see how 3 MPH would really make that difference. Not that we're complaining, because it takes all of our green tea and feng shui to stay calm when we rock up behind slowpokes in the left passing lane. For now, however, folks in OK getting pulled over receive nothing more than a warning. Soon, however, Oklahoma troopers will start handing out $206 tickets. If you want to know how your state feels about the matter, check out the list of "keep right" laws.

[Source: CNN]

Hallelujah! Oklahoma busting slow drivers in left lane originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>keep right lawsKeepRightLawsleft laneleft lane lawsLeftLaneLeftLaneLawsminimum speed limitMinimumSpeedLimitoklahoma left lane lawOklahomaLeftLaneLawpassing lanePassingLanespeed limitsSpeedLimitsFri, 11 Jan 2008 07:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Aw Snap! Poll reveals most Germans want speed limit on Autobahn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/#commentsFiled under:



Three days ago we scoffed at an EU official's suggestion that a speed limit should be applied to the remaining sections of Germany's famous Autobahn that remain free to speed. While reports indicated that speed-loving Germans were up in arms over the idea, a recent poll shows that two in three believe a speed limit should be instituted. Whaa? Conducted by ZDF television, the poll showed that 54% of those surveyed favor an 80 mph speed limit, while 10% would like a limit even lower. There were still around 35% of the respondents, which would thankfully include German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee if he were polled, who don't want a speed limit at all.

The controversy over speed limits on the Autobahn stems from suggestions that an over excited right foot leads to lots of wasted energy, which obviously ain't too good for the environment. Interestingly, the survey also showed that 56% of those polled think flights should be taxed more because of their negative impact on the environment. Yeah, that's right! Cap our cars, we'll tax your planes!

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Aw Snap! Poll reveals most Germans want speed limit on Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobahnEUEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionpollspeed limitspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimitssurveyFri, 16 Mar 2007 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Decling death rates due to safer vehicles, not better drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/12/decling-death-rates-due-to-safer-vehicles-not-better-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/12/decling-death-rates-due-to-safer-vehicles-not-better-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/12/decling-death-rates-due-to-safer-vehicles-not-better-drivers/#commentsFiled under:



The number of fatal crashes on U.S. roads have steadily declined over the last few decades and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that this has little do with a safer motoring public and more to do with safer vehicle design.

Their findings confirm what has been assumed for years, that as more safety equipment is added and eventually mandated, drivers who would have been killed years earlier in older models are now surviving with greater frequency.

The study also points to the lack of required seat belt usage in some states and the waning enforcement of DWI charges as worrisome developments. These concerns, coupled with speed limits that have steadily increased across the country, are providing the IIHS a bleak outlook on the future.

One glaring omission in the press release (printed after the jump) is the effect of driver training programs on new drivers and how further driver improvement is a necessity to decrease on-road fatalities.


Continue reading Decling death rates due to safer vehicles, not better drivers

Decling death rates due to safer vehicles, not better drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Aug 2006 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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