Speed limiters for vehicles

gilesjuk · Post by **gilesjuk** » 9 May 2008, 5:30pm

Should high powered motorbikes and cars be fitted with speed limiters?

I think a limiter of 80MPH for most cars is a good idea.

Cases like the one below make me wonder why people buy such high power vehicles when the law is clear and the risk of death when doing high speeds is huge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7392608.stm

hubgearfreak · Post by **hubgearfreak** » 9 May 2008, 5:43pm

stupid, stupid behaviour. there's tracks about for that. gladly the lorry driver was unhurt (but shaken). they could so easily have killed/injured innocent bystanders.

it isn't clear, but presumably some families are now suffering the loss of sons, husbands, fathers or all three so there are in all likeliness some innocent victims.

piedwagtail91 · Post by **piedwagtail91** » 9 May 2008, 6:05pm

maybe when they buy the bikes they should get vouchers for a free ride at the local track. it may just encourage them to return there on practice days to do their speedplay in safety.
i went with my brother and his mates to track a few years ago and they had a really good day with no hassle and in comparitive safety.
still a tragic waste of life though, but the buzz from speed is pretty addictive..
I'd take speed control further and have it electronically controlled by some sort of device on the speed limit signs.

gilesjuk · Post by **gilesjuk** » 9 May 2008, 6:56pm

Crazy speeds seems to be the norm for owners of superbikes.

Harley riders and people riding choppers usually cruise along safely in my experience. There's always a few bad eggs but I find that it's only a minority of superbike owners who ride sensibly.

Power does corrupt.

reohn2 · Post by **reohn2** » 9 May 2008, 8:52pm

If someone gets a bike that will do 160mph plus (and a lot will) then I've got to ask myself why?
I owned Motorcycles until my mid twenties, lost three good mates on them due to excessive speed and lunacy.
The power of todays superbikes/sportsbikes(and cars for that matter) is truly awesome they are literally too fast for the roads and their riders/drivers unable to react quick enough when travelling at those speeds (as has been proven by this sad and sickening incident)not to mention their lack of ability.
One has to ask what are they doing on the road in the first place?

meic · Post by **meic** » 10 May 2008, 12:14am

The top speed isnt really important. The Vincent could do 150mph back in the 1950's. It is the acceleration that bikers want and the top speed just comes with it.
Way back when I started on motorbikes an instructor asked "what is the most important safety feature on your motorbike?" The answer he was after was a controlled right hand (ie sensible use of the accelerator).
I do admit that there are certain motorbikes which I would not buy because there is no point having them unless you ride them in a racing fashion.
Also my motorbikes are sat in the garage virtually unused because it is much better on a bicycle

Jeckyll_n_Snyde · Post by **Jeckyll_n_Snyde** » 10 May 2008, 1:01am

NO to original question.

Technology is always improving (well mostly) and they WILL get faster/lighter etc. etc. and people will still continue to buy them regardless of how many casualties there are.

I own a superbike and a "Chopper" (thrashed whenever i can) and someday my luck just might run out...... be it from my own doing/stupidity or at the hands/fate of someone/something else's, i take my chances just like everybody else does. On my way home today after a fine ride on the pushie i came to steepish downhill; at which point i increased my cadence and rose through the gears in a vain attempt to go as fast as possible.....why?..... because i could. I'm not alone in my pursuit of speed
Should bicycles be restricted to say...10mph ? for safety/whatever reasons. Most (me included) on here would froth at the mouth contemplating such blasphemy :shock:

FWIW cars should be restricted :wink:

......o.k. i'm biased

PW · Post by PW » 10 May 2008, 6:32pm

Lorries and buses are limited, cars and motorbikes should be too. If the technology allows it the limiter should match the limit the vehicle's being driven through.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 10 May 2008, 8:46pm

They ran an experiment on those lines in Leeds a couple of years ago. It used satnav type technology to recognise speed limits and if I remember correctly, the driver was warned by the accellerator pedal vibrating if the limit was exceeded. There may also have been some automatic application of the brakes. I have no idea why they did not simply link existing speed limiter technology with satnav.

ianr1950 · Post by **ianr1950** » 12 May 2008, 8:56am

What a non starter of an idea.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 12 May 2008, 9:27am

http://www.its.leeds.ac.uk/projects/evsc/index.html

Well, this is a link to the report. (Amazing how time flies - I thought I had seen a piece about this on the box fairly recently but it was 'last century')

The conclusion seems to be that the technology would work but that political will would be necessary.

And of course, like all good research, it urges more research.

eileithyia · Post by **eileithyia** » 12 May 2008, 10:33pm

Well there was a speed limiter on the M61 this morning, cop going at 75mph and no one tried to go past him!!!!!! :lol: