California could require car ‘governors’ that limit speeding to 10 mph over posted limits (San Francisco: live, moving)

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by Upminster-1

Well, I understand the technology that could limit speed to a certain fixed level, e.g., 65 mph, and that it could be programmed to that level. But how does the device "know" what the posted speed limit is? Is it connected to GPS and a database of roads and speed limits and school hours, etc. And is such a database instantaneously and reliably updated every time there is a change? I doubt it !

For 10 years I drove a certain state route in Virginia past a school that had been abandoned 30 years previously. My Garmin GPS still flashed "school zone 25 mph" whenever I drove by at the posted speed limit ( 55 mph ).

Methinks it would very hard to keep those maps updated.

Or maybe these newfangled cars would have sensors and "read" the posted speed limits from signs along the way? So what about bushes that are allowed by DOT to prevent drivers ( and sensors ) from seeing and reading those signs.

So problem one is technology. Problem two is trusting people to update the database or keep the signs clear.

Either way I would conclude we simply don't have the means to deploy a reliable system pegged to the actual posted speed limits.

I recently had a Toyota Corolla as a rental car on a trip to Florida. It had an indicator on the dashboard of the posted speed limit on the various roads. When I was at or under the speed limit, the little icon was white, but when I exceeded the speed limit it turned red. So apparently some type of sensing technology already exists.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

I recently had a Toyota Corolla as a rental car on a trip to Florida. It had an indicator on the dashboard of the posted speed limit on the various roads. When I was at or under the speed limit, the little icon was white, but when I exceeded the speed limit it turned red. So apparently some type of sensing technology already exists.

My Highlander will show the posted speed limit, doesn't turn red though, but not all the time. I think some sort of camera or sensor will read the sign but my car doesn't always show it.

[GuyInSD]

Originally Posted by Upminster-1

...Or maybe these newfangled cars would have sensors and "read" the posted speed limits from signs along the way?...

I think that technology already exists; a friend of mine was showing me that his new (to him - he bought it used) Toyota displays the speed limit on his dashboard - it shows up whenever a "Speed Limit" sign comes into view, so the car must have a camera facing forward that is tied to a computer that can recognize a "Speed Limit" sign and do OCR on what it sees.

I believe it's part of their "Toyota Safety Sense™":
"Using an intelligent camera, Road Sign Assist (RSA) is designed to detect speed limit signs, stop signs, Do Not Enter signs, yield signs and certain warning signs, and display an icon of the sign on the Multi-Information Display (MID)."

[Upminster-1]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

I recently had a Toyota Corolla as a rental car on a trip to Florida. It had an indicator on the dashboard of the posted speed limit on the various roads. When I was at or under the speed limit, the little icon was white, but when I exceeded the speed limit it turned red. So apparently some type of sensing technology already exists.

Yes, my new car does that also, but I don't know if it is tied to the navigation system or to sensors. I will have to monitor the next time I go for a drive and see if can tell. I know my old Garmin was tied to the speed limits embedded in the not-frequently-updated maps.

My point was that either way, it would likely not be reliable. Can you imagine the hassle of getting a ticket and having to prove the map was outdated or the sensor not seeing an obscured sign. Even another car on the road could easily obscure a speed limit sign.

Sharing such unreliable performance data with an insurance company could also cause problems.

Oh, but of it was 75% reliable, would that be good enough. I don't think so. Needs to be 99-100% reliable to work effectively. Even if it weren't such a bad idea.

[Upminster-1]

Originally Posted by GuyInSD

I think that technology already exists; a friend of mine was showing me that his new (to him - he bought it used) Toyota displays the speed limit on his dashboard - it shows up whenever a "Speed Limit" sign comes into view, so the car must have a camera facing forward that is tied to a computer that can recognize a "Speed Limit" sign and do OCR on what it sees.

I believe it's part of their "Toyota Safety Sense™":
"Using an intelligent camera, Road Sign Assist (RSA) is designed to detect speed limit signs, stop signs, Do Not Enter signs, yield signs and certain warning signs, and display an icon of the sign on the Multi-Information Display (MID)."

That is interesting. Perhaps that is what my new car is doing also. If reliable, then surely better than relying on a navigation database.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by JGC97

^^ Yup. That's the guy.

I thought his focus was genital mutilation of children without parental consent and things like that?

Scott & Friends

[mgforshort]

If this pass many of us here might just keep our current car and spend the savings on major repairs and maintenance. New Corvettes, Mustangs and Porsches could become endangered species. Whenever I read something like that I can't help wondering what would be victimized next?

In the good old times we had radar detectors and Highway Patrol, but I guess if you can't work from home than better don't work at all.

[Wartrace]

They already have a hard-on for so-called "assault rifles"; why wouldn't they try to neuter your ability to speed as well? In most states, speeding kills more people than assault rifles.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Most new cars have GPS. Do you want your big Govt controlling your car's computer with it?

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by Upminster-1

Well, I understand the technology that could limit speed to a certain fixed level, e.g., 65 mph, and that it could be programmed to that level. But how does the device "know" what the posted speed limit is? Is it connected to GPS and a database of roads and speed limits and school hours, etc. And is such a database instantaneously and reliably updated every time there is a change? I doubt it !

For 10 years I drove a certain state route in Virginia past a school that had been abandoned 30 years previously. My Garmin GPS still flashed "school zone 25 mph" whenever I drove by at the posted speed limit ( 55 mph ).

Methinks it would very hard to keep those maps updated.

Or maybe these newfangled cars would have sensors and "read" the posted speed limits from signs along the way? So what about bushes that are allowed by DOT to prevent drivers ( and sensors ) from seeing and reading those signs.

So problem one is technology. Problem two is trusting people to update the database or keep the signs clear.

Either way I would conclude we simply don't have the means to deploy a reliable system pegged to the actual posted speed limits.

My wife's Subaru Outback reads the speed limit signs.