What if cars knew every road’s posted speed limit and could alert drivers who exceeded it or — like some Dudley Drive-Right — flat-out refuse to break the law? The answer, according to a UK study group, is that we’d likely enjoy safer, more predictable roadways. Which is the premise behind a new driver-assistance system dubbed Intelligent Speed Adaptation. The onboard system, which researchers at the University of Leeds finished field-testing last summer, calculates a car’s position using GPS and matches it to a map coded with speed-limit data. The research team says ISA can also be set to adjust its speed warnings based on weather conditions, traffic density, or accidents. While the technology can be used passively — merely alerting drivers of potential speed violations — it can also be shifted into maximum Orwellian mode to automatically step on the brakes. It’s the ultimate backseat driver.
— M.S.
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Drive Safely — Big Brother Is Watching
