Google AI

Weekend Times


The Times

Business News

How to never get a speeding fine again — and maybe save a child's life

  • Written by: Matthew Mclaughlin, Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia
How to never get a speeding fine again — and maybe save a child's life

What if our cars didn’t allow us to speed? Or, at least, strongly encouraged us not to speed?

We could help motorists avoid speeding — and therefore reduce emissions and fuel use[1], improve traffic flow[2], reduce crashes[3], lower insurance costs[4], make streets feel safer[5] to walk and cycle – and totally avoid speeding fines.

Reducing speeding is crucial[6] if we are to reduce the rising road toll. More than 1,200 people were killed[7] on Australian roads in the past year.

It’s no wonder Australians want this technology – 81%[8] believe “intelligent speed assist” technology is important for making roads safer.

Technology to stop speeding

“Intelligent speed assist” is the name of the low-cost[9] technology that could save lives every year by reducing speeding.

Graphic explaining what intelligent speed assist does, how it works and the benefits
CC BY[10] The idea of helping drivers to avoid speeding is more than 100 years old[11]. But early speed-limiting technologies proposed a top speed limit (similar to the way e-scooters are regulated[12] in Australia), rather than allowing motorists the option to break the speed limit. If we don’t do intelligent speed assist, what’s the alternative? Currently, we must constantly monitor speed limits and adjust our speed accordingly to avoid speeding. That means looking often at our speedometers. There is some research[13] to suggest continually taking our eyes off the road to review our speedometer could be dangerous. Given how often speed limits can change on a route, and that we all make mistakes, it’s no wonder speeding is so common. Will it work? Installing intelligent speed assist in all cars could prevent at least 8%[14] and up to 19%[15] of all crashes Australia-wide. This represents up to 200[16] lives saved per year. A NSW Centre for Road Safety trial[17] found advisory intelligent speed systems reduced speeding in 89% of vehicles, across more than 1.9 million kilometres of testing. Intelligent speed assist is not yet a perfect system. Hurdles to overcome include: different speed sign coverage[18] and designs from state to state maintaining an accurate map of speed limits across Australia for GPS potential over-reliance on the feature in varying driving conditions, such as wet weather, corners and so on. But shouldn’t we be doing everything we can to overcome these hurdles, to make such a life-saving, child-saving technology work as well as it can? What’s already been done? Legislation[19] in 2022 has made intelligent speed assist technology mandatory for all new cars sold in the European Union. In Australia, if you drive a relatively new car, you may already have the option of intelligent speed assist. For example, if you drive a new Ford[20], you can activate its Intelligent Speed Limiter. Intelligent speed assist adds to a growing list of in-vehicle safety technologies, such auto emergency braking[21], lane keep assist[22] and blind spot monitoring[23]. We know older vehicles[24] that lack such technologies are involved in more crashes. What about older vehicles? Cars have an average age of 10.4[25] years. So retrofitting older cars[26] with intelligent speed assist technology has been trialled[27]. Despite the European legislation[28], there’s no expectation of a wide-scale retro-fitting program. It is common, though, to retrofit fleet cars such as government and company vehicles with intelligent speed assist. This improves fleet safety[29] and distributes new technologies when these vehicles are sold on the second-hand market. ‘But I only speed a little bit’ Research[30] shows most people think they’re better-than-average drivers. More than one in four[31] Australians think it’s ok to speed if driving “safely”. But you can’t speed and drive safely. For every 1km/h increase in speed, there is a 4%[32] increase in fatal crashes. If everyone was to increase their speed by just 1km/h, we could expect an extra 48 deaths[33] a year. Road deaths remain the number one[34] killer of children in Australia and speed is the most common[35] factor in a crash. Current measures to reduce speeding haven’t gone far enough. Despite two in three[36] Australian drivers admitting to speeding every week, only one in ten[37] got a speeding fine last year. If you are worried about the government losing out on revenue, don’t. Road traffic crashes cost the Australian economy A$27 billion[38] a year. Speed camera fines generate just $1.5 billion[39] a year. Read more: Despite lockdowns, 1,142 Australians, including 66 kids, died on our roads in the past year. Here's what we need to do[40] 3 actions to get started Intelligent speed assist is not a silver bullet. But it is one of five crucial actions[41] that can make zero road deaths possible. More than 200 cities[42] around the world have already achieved this goal at least five times for a calendar year since 2009. Here are three actions to get started: install intelligent speed assist in all all public buses and government fleet cars – the NSW government fleet, for example, has 25,000 cars[43] require intelligent speed assist for a 5-star ANCAP[44] safety rating adopt the EU legislation[45] in Australia to require intelligent speed assist in all new cars. We have an urgent problem, we have the technology, we have the evidence it works, so what’s stopping us using it to save lives on our roads? The authors have provided footage online[46] of intelligent speed assist in action, for free reuse. References^ emissions and fuel use (www.sciencedirect.com)^ traffic flow (www.rsa.ie)^ crashes (casr.adelaide.edu.au)^ insurance costs (www.cis.org.au)^ feel safer (www.healthystreets.com)^ crucial (www.transport.nsw.gov.au)^ 1,200 people were killed (app.powerbi.com)^ 81% (towardszero.nsw.gov.au)^ low-cost (op.europa.eu)^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)^ 100 years old (dx.doi.org)^ the way e-scooters are regulated (scooterhut.com.au)^ some research (psycnet.apa.org)^ 8% (acrs.org.au)^ 19% (www.transport.nsw.gov.au)^ 200 (theconversation.com)^ trial (archive.acrs.org.au)^ coverage (austroads.com.au)^ Legislation (www.consilium.europa.eu)^ Ford (www.ford.com.au)^ auto emergency braking (www.carsguide.com.au)^ lane keep assist (howsafeisyourcar.com.au)^ blind spot monitoring (www.carsguide.com.au)^ older vehicles (www.monash.edu)^ 10.4 (www.abs.gov.au)^ retrofitting older cars (www.eiturbanmobility.eu)^ trialled (www.eiturbanmobility.eu)^ legislation (www.consilium.europa.eu)^ improves fleet safety (digital.library.adelaide.edu.au)^ Research (osf.io)^ one in four (www.infrastructure.gov.au)^ 4% (cdn.who.int)^ extra 48 deaths (www.bitre.gov.au)^ number one (www.aihw.gov.au)^ most common (www.transport.nsw.gov.au)^ two in three (arsf.com.au)^ one in ten (www.budgetdirect.com.au)^ A$27 billion (www.bitre.gov.au)^ $1.5 billion (www.whichcar.com.au)^ Despite lockdowns, 1,142 Australians, including 66 kids, died on our roads in the past year. Here's what we need to do (theconversation.com)^ five crucial actions (theconversation.com)^ 200 cities (www.dekra-vision-zero.com)^ 25,000 cars (www.governmentnews.com.au)^ ANCAP (www.ancap.com.au)^ legislation (www.consilium.europa.eu)^ footage online (drive.google.com)Authors: Matthew Mclaughlin, Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-to-never-get-a-speeding-fine-again-and-maybe-save-a-childs-life-216347

The Weekend Times Magazine

Republicans have used a ‘law and order’ message to win elections before. This is why Trump could do it again

In 1991, Donald Trump’s mother, Mary, was mugged on a New York street. As Trump’s niece recounts in her new book, the young assailant slammed Mary’s head into her Rolls...

Box Mixers launches at home cocktail mixers

Box Mixers has announced its new range of zero alcohol cocktail mixers, made from all natural flavours, crafted to make drinking cocktails at home simple and convenient. Designed to appeal to...

This City of Museums is Deserve to be Put on Your Wishlist, Especially if You Are a First-Timer to Australia

Sydney is a multicultural city that has a lot of art in it. You can find street art on the city's outskirts and world-class art galleries. Sydney museum are countless...

Discover the Benefits of Lifestyle Awnings for Your Home

Image by evening_tao on Freepik Adding shade and style to your outdoor space is easier than ever with Lifestyle Awnings. Whether you want to enjoy your backyard comfortably, protect your...

Why Lighting Stores Perth Are the Key to Brightening Homes and Businesses

The right lighting can transform a room from dull to dynamic, highlight architectural details, and create an inviting environment for living, working, or entertaining. For those in Western Australia, visiting...

Protecting Properties with Durable Security Fencing

From residential homes to large commercial facilities, strong and reliable fencing provides peace of mind by keeping intruders out and safeguarding what matters most. Among the many options available, security...

Buying Your First Pontoon Boat? Here's What to Look For!

If you're a water lover and eager to cruise peaceful inland waterways more often, a pontoon boat is a great way to do it. Plus, it's largely considered the easiest...

Horse Float Maintenance: Keeping Your Investment in Top Shape

Horse floats are equipment that are required for the safe and efficient transportation of horses. Long life and performance are assured with proper maintenance. Safety risks and structural damage may...

Why Carpet Cleaning Services Are Essential for Clean and Healthy Interiors

Clean carpets are a defining feature of comfortable and well-maintained interiors. Carpet cleaning services play an important role in preserving cleanliness, improving indoor comfort, and supporting healthier environments across residential and...