Comments on: BMW speed limit display begins local testing

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?

By: Blaze

Blaze — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:08:14 +0000

I like this idea in a car. If I had a car with the system, I’d set it so that it audibly alerts me if I am over the speed limit. This would me less time spent looking at my speedo and more time spent looking out for other cars and kids who might run out on to the road.

But, I wonder how the system will handle those larger time-dependent school signs (the ones which specify a lower speed limit between certain hours of the day).

By: Pablo

Pablo — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:46:08 +0000

99% of drivers exceed the posted speed anyway

By: Carz

Carz — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:22 +0000

i guess that would be a nice addition to BMW features. it’s the drivers’ choice to either make use of it or not. still it’s a good feature and possibly useful in the future.

By: Smokin'R32

Smokin'R32 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:52:18 +0000

Nobody said drivers are to rely on this system, its just a handy back up if you happen to miss the speed limit sign, which DOES happen. Why does everyone on this site have to assume the worst?

By: pirakavezok

pirakavezok — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:48:49 +0000

Australian roads are generally well sign posted with regards to speed limits. I agree that if drivers need gadgets to inform them of the speed limits, they are either driving too fast, have problems with their eye sight or have problems staying alert. Either case, they are driving dangerously. Clearly, something needs to be done to prevent such a situation as technolgy can only do so much.

By: Hagar

Hagar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:34:18 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, we need: ABS, VSC & Airbags which are there just in case we make mistakes. And that mistake will not kill us. But if you are not paying attention to the basic things like speed limits, you deserve a ticket, to remind you to pay attention while driving.

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:23:48 +0000

Although it is a great system, however we as drivers shouldn’t be relying on the system telling us to slow down at certain areas.

I wonder if its smart enough to handle additional variables on a certain speed limit zone.

By: Hagar

Hagar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:22:17 +0000

If you are not seeing speed signs but you are behind the wheel of a car, STOP. You are not driving, you are just in a seat being propelled forwards..

By: AAA

AAA — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:08:13 +0000

My $300 portable GPS has this feature except the camera to read the speed limit signs.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:29:06 +0000

The Vauxhall Insignia can do that.