Speed Alert Systems

via Facebook  Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP say:

... Speed restrictions are intended to promote safe use of the road network by keeping traffic speeds below the maximum that is appropriate for a given traffic environment, thereby protecting vehicle occupants and other road users.  

Excessive speeding is sometimes unintentional. Drivers who are tired or otherwise distracted may allow their speeds to drift above the maximum allowed for that road. Others may inadvertently miss a traffic sign alerting them to a change in the speed limit, such as when entering a built-up area. Speed alert or Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems help drivers to keep their speeds within the recommended limits. 

Some systems display the current limit so that the driver is always aware of the maximum speed allowed on that road. The speed limit may, for example, be determined by software which analyses images from a camera and recognises traffic signs. Alternatively, satellite navigation is becoming increasingly accurate and could be used to provide information to the driver. However, this relies on the most up to date digital maps being available at all times. Systems may or may not issue a warning to the driver when the speed limit is being exceeded and current systems are voluntary: they can be switched off and they rely on the driver responding appropriately to the warning. 

Other systems do not inform the driver of the current speed limit; they allow drivers to set a limit of their choice and warn when that limit is being exceeded. Used responsibly, such systems can also contribute to safer driving by helping drivers to control their speeds. Example: Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA) 

Cars fitted with Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA)

Source: http://www.euroncap.com/carsearch.aspx

Safety Assist rating on cars with Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA) is always > 86% in New Rating Scheme (from 2009).

BMW Series 5 - Euro NCAP Safest Executive Car 2010 - Includes Speed Limitation Assistance (SLA)

more about the Announcement....

About BMW 5 Series

Euro NCAP is glad to announce the five best performing cars of 2010. To be selected as safest cars of their categories, these vehicles achieved a high overall score and attained the coveted five star rating.

Last year, Euro NCAP crash tested twenty nine vehicles, 65% of which reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009. This decrease of 25% clearly shows that Euro NCAP’s criteria to reach a five stars are now tougher. While Euro NCAP’s poorest results of 2010 were achieved by the Citroen Nemo with three stars and by the Landwind CV9 which received only two stars, the top achievers by category are:

• Executive category: BMW 5 Series
• Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
• Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
• Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
• Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

Human Rights and Speed Enforcement

How dare drivers drive faster than the speed limit! What right do they have to endanger the lives of me, my family and friends? Why aren't all cars fitted with Speed Limitation Devices, by law? Why aren't all speed hidden or covert?

As Slowerderbyshire (via Independent, via Facebook) says:-

"Current government, police and council policies regarding the setting of speed limits and their subsequent enforcement contravene the Human Rights Act, 1998. The articles being contravened include the following: 

• Article 2 “right to life” 

• Article 3 “prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment” 

• Protocol 1, Article 1 “peaceful enjoyment of possessions”

In 2004 the Department of Transport stated:

• The government expects all drivers to observe all speed limits on all roads at all times (except for emergency vehicles)

The government permits the police the routine use of covert speed cameras to catch drivers speeding “excessively”

The handbook for Safety Camera Partnerships states: 

• All cameras must be highly visible (rule 5) 

• Fixed/mobile cameras may only be used at a site with a significant killed/seriously injured record (rule 7) 

So government guidelines for safety camera placement require a disproportionate number of deaths or serious injuries before a camera may be deployed! The visibility guidelines along with the requirement for a high number of deaths/serious injuries mean that Safety Camera Partnerships are effectively prevented from enforcing the limits to the maximum of their ability. 

The guidelines also require that drivers be warned of speed enforcement well in advance of the cameras and that the cameras be highly visible. Research shows that the number of accidents in the immediate vicinity of the cameras has decreased. This decrease has not been statistically significant away from the immediate vicinity of the cameras. Research shows that most drivers just slow down in the immediate vicinity of the cameras and then speed up to their normal driving speed away from the cameras.

Highly visible enforcement strategies act to remind road users that enforcement is present and potentially increases both the actual and the perceived risk of detection. Non-visible enforcement acts to increase road user's sense of uncertainty and to prevent them from adapting their speeding behaviour at specific times and locations when speeding enforcement is clearly being carried out.

6 Recommendations

The rules governing Safety Camera Partnerships should be enhanced to permit the following: 

• Permitted to use safety cameras both covertly as well as overtly. 

• The only requirement for speed enforcement should be a history of speeding at the location in question. 

• Time average speed cameras to be used in preference to highly visible localized spot cameras. 

• Permit the use of 30mph repeater signs where appropriate/effective e.g. on a main road through a village

Speed Limiters

My new Nissan Qashqai Acenta has a brilliant Active Speed Limitation Function (ASLF) aka Speed Limiation Assistance (SLA) which I've used at every speed for a month now. For example on a 30mph road you set the speed limiter to 30mph and it will stop you going above 30mph unless you floor the accelerator pedal. Going from 30mph onto a 40mph speed limit road a single click sets the speed limiter to 40mph. It has transformed the way I and Sharon drive! Less chance to get speeding tickets or cause an accident by driving too fast!!

ASLF are defined (para. 4.2) by Euro NCAP as Adjustable Speed Limitation Function. ASLF means a function which allows the driver to set a vehicle speed Vadj, to which he wishes the speed of his car to be limited or above which he wishes to be warned. Vadj – Adjustable limit speed Vadj means the speed voluntarily set by the driver. Active ASLF means an ASLF which, when activated, requires the driver to make a positive action in order to exceed Vadj.

Euro NCAP says "In 2009, French carmakers made tackling speeding drivers their priority. Citroen, Peugeot and Renault as well as new premium brand in Europe Infiniti were rewarded by Euro NCAP for their fitment of a driver controlled speed limitation device. In cars: Citroen C3, Peugeot 3008, 308 CC, 5008, the Renault Grand Scenic and Infiniti FX. Speed limits are intended to keep traffic speeds below the maximum that is appropriate, ensuring the safety of motorists and other road users."

The only other supermini / small family car / small MPV I've found that has a speed limiter fitted as standard is the Renault Clio Dynamique 1.6.

The Mazda 2 Sport has a speed alarm fitted. I've test driven this car and the alarm can only be set for one speed limit eg 30mph. I think I'd tend to ignor the alarm more often than not!

Euro NCAP also quote Research (pg 3) carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory that has shown that at 25% above the average speed, a driver is six times more likely to have an accident than a driver travelling at the average speed.

From 2009 Euro NCAP have given max. 1 point or 14% (out of 7 points) for Speed Limitation Devices in the Safety Assist section. Details section 4 - Euro NCAP February 2010 v 5.2 Safety Assist.
It seems that the extra 0.1 for "can system be set at speed" is essential - so 0.9 points is minimum I'd personally accept (my Nissan Qashqai would possibly score 1.0 points if tested by Euro NCAP)

Mercedes E Class Active Safety

Mercedes has an 'Integrated Safety Concept' on the 2009 released £30,855 E Class* Saloon Avantgarde. The June 2010 price list has the optional Driving Assistance Package £2250 which includes:-

1. Blind Spot Assist – visible warning in exterior mirrors if vehicle is detected in blind spot, audible warning if indicating to move out of lane (detail). 
2. Lane-Keeping Assist – vibrates steering wheel when detecting unintentional drifting out of lane (demo).
3. Distronic Plus - radar controlled braking system that maintains a safe distance from the car in front. 
4. Pre-Safe Brake - radar cruise control keeps you at a safe distance from the car in front .

Night View Assist £1100 uses infrared headlamps to view people and animals or loads shed in the road at night.

Speed Limit Assist Plus £290 has a Camera that recognises speed limit road signs and keeps the driver notified on the instrument cluster:

Standard eSafety features on E Class Avantgarde model are:

1. ESP - Electronic Stability Programme which prevents skids. 
2. LED daytime running lights
3. Intelligent Light System with bi‑xenon headlamps
4. Tyre pressure loss warning system (& Tyre Pressure Monitoring) – alerts driver to significant reductions in tyre pressure
5. Attention Assist - tiredness recognition. Fatigued drivers are identified by steering wheel movements that require constant correction.

Rare Passive Safety features include:

1. Active Bonnet – pedestrian safety measure which detects an impact and raises bonnet by 50 mm, creating additional crumple zone. However Euro NCAP 2010 safety test of Mercedes E Class Avantguarde only gave Pedestrian protection 59% (60% is required by 2012 for a car to be rated 5*)
2. knee airbag

Speed Limitation Assistance is not available on the E Class (unlike the excellent SLA on our Nissan Qashqai Acenta which has transformed the way Sharon & I drive!)

Euro NCAP noted the E Class is fitted as standard with 'PRE SAFE'' system which senses when an accident is about to occur and primes the restraint and protection systems in readiness for the collision.

* E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Avantgarde, Petrol – 1,796 cc, 184 hp