The Benefits of Intelligent Speed Assist Technology: How It Can Help Reduce Speeding and Save Lives
Key Highlights :
In the past year, more than 1,200 people were killed on Australian roads. It's no wonder that Australians are looking for ways to make their roads safer, and 81% believe that “intelligent speed assist” technology is important for this purpose. Intelligent speed assist is a low-cost technology that could save lives every year by reducing speeding. This article will discuss the benefits of intelligent speed assist technology, how it can help reduce speeding, and how it could save lives.
The History of Intelligent Speed Assist
The idea of helping drivers to avoid speeding is more than 100 years old. Early speed-limiting technologies proposed a top speed limit, rather than allowing motorists the option to break the speed limit. However, with the advancement of technology, intelligent speed assist systems have become available that can help reduce speeding.
The Benefits of Intelligent Speed Assist
Intelligent speed assist systems can help reduce emissions and fuel use, improve traffic flow, reduce crashes, lower insurance costs, and make streets feel safer to walk and cycle. Additionally, it can help reduce the rising road toll by preventing speeding, which is a major factor in many crashes.
A NSW Center for Road Safety trial found that advisory intelligent speed systems reduced speeding in 89% of vehicles, across more than 1.9 million kilometers of testing. It is estimated that installing intelligent speed assist in all cars could prevent at least 8% and up to 19% of all crashes Australia-wide, which could save up to 200 lives per year.
Hurdles to Overcome
Although intelligent speed assist technology has many benefits, there are still some hurdles that need to be overcome. For example, the technology is not yet perfect and there are some issues with accuracy. Additionally, retrofitting older cars with the technology is expensive and time-consuming.
Legislation in the European Union
In 2022, legislation was passed in the European Union that made intelligent speed assist technology mandatory for all new cars sold. In Australia, if you drive a relatively new car, you may already have the option of intelligent speed assist.
Conclusion
Intelligent speed assist technology has the potential to save lives by reducing speeding and preventing crashes. Although there are still some hurdles to be overcome, the technology is becoming more widely available and is being mandated in some countries. If we want to reduce the rising road toll, it is important that we take advantage of this technology and make it available to as many drivers as possible.
