New EU proposal aims to stop drivers from speeding using satellites
Road safety is a serious issue for the European Union. In an attempt to reduce the number of casualties caused by speeding, the European Commission is considering using satellite technology to control vehicle speeds.
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The European Commission is exploring a system that would use satellites, GPS and cameras to monitor car speed and road limits.
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If a driver is speeding, the car could automatically reduce engine power to match the speed limit.
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The proposal aims to reduce road deaths by up to 20%, according to safety campaigners.
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It could become mandatory for all new cars in the EU by 2030, if approved.
According to the proposal, every new car would be equipped with a device that can limit the engine’s power for drivers who are speeding. This would be done remotely, based on their speed and location.
The system would use a combination of GPS technology, satellite data, and cameras to identify speed limits and monitor vehicle speed.
How would this work? First, satellites pinpoint the car's location and determine its speed. Next, the car’s onboard cameras spot traffic signs that indicate the maximum speed. If a driver is speeding, the car's built-in computer forces it to slow down to the maximum speed limit.
Safety campaigners believe the technology will significantly reduce casualties by 20%.
If approved, the system could be mandatory for all new vehicles in the EU by 2030.
The United Kingdom would be exempted because of Brexit. However, experts expect that car manufacturers will introduce the proposed technology in the UK as well, as it would be too expensive to build cars just for the UK market.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden has raised concerns about the technology's reliability, fears of hacking, and doubts about drivers’ privacy.
“To me, this is a recipe for Big Brother. Conservatives will never surrender the ability for our drivers to react nor support red tape that makes motorists’ lives harder,” Holden told the Mail on Sunday in an interview.
In addition, he said that such a system could have “catastrophic consequences” for drivers, adding that it would be “a dystopian day when we long to be rid of the tyranny of automation.”
Howard Cox, Founder of lobby group FairFuelUK, feels that the European Commission should mind its own business and not tell Britons what to do.
“The majority of drivers are sensible and know how to handle the correct speeds for the road conditions they face. The EU nanny state should butt out of how we need to drive,” he said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told the Mail on Sunday that the proposal is “purely exploratory.”
The Department for Transport confirmed that there are currently no plans to introduce speed-limiting technology in the UK.
“But we will continue to work with partners across Europe and internationally to improve the safety standards of all vehicles,” the Department added.
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