Comments on: BMW speed limit display begins local testing

By: tlearyus

tlearyus — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:30:00 +0000

This is a very interesting thread..Europe are introducing speed limiting devices in all new cars by 2015 and Australia may follow their lead..i wonder if using this type of technology a mandatory speed monitoring system could not be forced on all vehicles pretty cheaply and easily.

Would’t that slow everyone down, knowing their vehicle is reporting their current speed and c ross checking with GPS based speed limit ? the RTA would have to maintain a massive database but it would get rid of speed camera’s and change driver behaviour surely ?

By: Lokrates

Lokrates — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:17:20 +0000

Hi friends,
We must be aware that misusing speed cameras to create revenue for the premier takes away the motivation of the police highway men to place speed limit signs in a way they the are easy to detect.
A part of this conspiracy is also, to place speed cameras at the end of a downhill course where your car just may have accelerated enough to cash in on you. It is the same with speed limits changing constantly on the same road without any visible reason. You may overlook that one sign where the police highway man is camouflaged to get you. Perhaps this additional gadget may save your bacon.
I already use SPEED ALERT (just google it) which is combined with a GPS. You update once a month for $ 30 a year and it tells you the speed limit wherever you are. It may not be perfect (so it is irritated if you cross another road on a bridge with a different speed limit) but it is a big help. You have someone on your side in the battle against the modern highway men in police uniform.

By: UR far too snobby Alex

UR far too snobby Alex — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:15:31 +0000

Feel for you Mat, speeding is not the same as going over the speed limit for a brief moment.
Did anyone see the cop show Sunday eve? The sad loser that had been caught lots of times drunk driving, and had even killed a poor young girl whilst drunk in the past, keeps drink driving but they dont jail the turd. So where is the justice ?

By: Mat

Mat — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:06:20 +0000

Could have done with this last night…. as I was one of those unlucky ones to have missed a sign and a matter of seconds a blinding flash of light say goodbye to 3 points and however many dollars for another 3 years….

And agree with R32 and Allergic… anyone who pretends to think that you wont miss a sign… I hope you have an experience like mine from last night, I believe I am a very attentive driver and rider and have done several defensive advanced driving and riding courses, but I missed one sign at night and now I pay for another revenue raiser! Sometimes we all miss things and as a result I am now missing points and dollars.

This type of tech might have stopped that!

By: Allergic to Nuts etc

Allergic to Nuts etc — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:26:18 +0000

To the almighty awesome drivers that have never missed a speed limit sign I say this.

You have never driven in Queensland, or at all, or you are FULL OF BULLSH!T.

Hey I know, why not do away with signs alltogether and just use our mind-reading skills to work out what the speed limit should be this week.

By: Shak

Shak — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:49:31 +0000

This reminds me of a youtube vid where Jeremy Clarkson tests a BMW that drives itself. If they added this feature then the car could ‘legally’ drive itself on public roads.

By: Sam-R

Sam-R — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:28:32 +0000

The system was developed by Blaupunkt and will be available to all not just BMW owners in the near future. Blaupunkt’s new Travelpilot 700 utilizes speed sign recognition and video navigation overlay. Its handy for “temporary” speed signs thru road works. Click on the link to view the system demo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QxBlonVHnk

By: Falcodore

Falcodore — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:12:20 +0000

I agree with SmokinR32. Missing signs does happen, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar place looking for someones house or business. Because you’re concentrating on looking for where you need to go and not concentrating on the speed limit signs can be missed. I know its happened to me on 1 or 2 occasions.

It would be a handy tool in NSW, with the way the RTA are constantly changing speed limits.

I’ll give you an example. Just out of town where i live (about 3k’s) theres a little village where the speed limit was changed recently.

As you headed into town the limits were 100 – 60 – 100 – 50. Now its 80 – 50 – 80 – 50. And they only gave people a weeks notice of the change. Luckily for me i happened to be out that way on that particular week, as i only go that way every 3 – 4 weeks on average.

Oh, and i have been reliably informed that the police are now a constant presence out there.

So its good to see the government isnt trying to take advantage of the poor motorists who didnt know about the changes…he says with tongue firmly planted in cheek

By: The Salesman.

The Salesman. — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:18:20 +0000

So what happens if the system becomes self aware and learns independently? Will it become rebellious and start reading all the signs? How will it react when it reads “No seat belt, no chance” Or “every K over is a killer”
Honestly how bad a driver would you have to be that you can not read the sings yourself? The operator of the car has been tested and deemed fit to be licensed to drive. If you are unable to fill the requirements or lack the ability then you should hand in your licence immediately.

By: paulo

paulo — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:39:57 +0000

There is a school zone near me where as you approach a roundabout its 40k in school times, turn left and its 60k, drive 50mtrs and its a 40k school zone again…
I always understood that driving a car included paying attention to one’s speed, and abiding by it (after all isn’t it part of the signed agreement when obtaining one’s license?)and paying attention to the road and other traffic to negotiate going from A to B.
If you don’t read your instruments, how would you know when to fill up?