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Dublin: 12 °C Wednesday 19 June, 2013

Call to put speed monitors in all new vehicles

Irish MEP asks EU to introduce legislation to make devices mandatory.

Image: Sergio/Manuel via Flickr

ALL NEW VEHICLES across the EU should be fitted with speed monitoring devices, according to an Irish MEP.

Nessa Childers is today submitting a request to the European Commission that legislation be introduced to make the devices mandatory in all new cars. She said that the monitors would emit a beeping sound when the driver is exceeding the speed limit on any given road. She said:

It would be a simple device which would annoy the driver enough to make sure speed is reduced to stop the beeping sound.

Speeding is still a key factor in about 30 per cent of fatal EU road accidents. Some 40-50 per cent of European drivers drive faster than the recommended speed limit and 10-20 per cent exceed the limit by more than 10km/h.

In 2003, car insurance provider Axa launched a pilot scheme called Traksure. Under the scheme, young drivers could secure discounts of up to 40 per cent off their premiums over a three-year period in return for allowing a speed monitoring device to be fitted to their car. The monitoring was to “identify and reward” drivers who drove within the speed limit.

The Professional Insurance Brokers’ Association of Ireland told TheJournal.ie that Axa had since discontinued the Traksure scheme and there was not a similar speed monitoring discount scheme on offer from insurance companies in Ireland at the moment.

Axa Ireland has not yet replied to enquiries about why the Traksure scheme was discontinued.

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Comments (19 Comments)

  • It’s a great idea.

    By the way, did Childers mention how the device would know what the speed limit is on the road you’re on? Especially when we’re the worst-mapped nation in the EU for GPS stuff, and when on several occasions speed limits were put up by local councils but not made legal with bye-laws so that nobody knew the real speed limit on those stretches of road?

    Reply
    • Yes, the GPS system is what it is meant to run off and help the device recognise what the speed limit is to be on a certain road (this is what the Traksure scheme was relying on). I take your point that there would have to be a whole lot of preparation put in place for it be really viable!

      Reply
  • G 14/04/11 #

    I’ve another good idea, why not put cameras in everyone’s homes to police when they go to bed and if they do anything illegal. Then we cud put a microchip inside people so if they have a dangerous thought they can be arrested. Man I love living in a free country! We’re nearly as free as Americans.

    Reply
  • Bob Go 14/04/11 #

    Nessa Childers obviously hasnt heard of a tool called a pliers that can cut wires to annoying beeping things

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  • It won’t happen no one will by a car with this device as it would be simple very distracting when over taking etc and I’m sick of seeing EU this and Eu that

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  • I don’t care how much a penalty comes with it, anything like that will be smashed on any car I own.

    The EU are just becoming ridiculous.

    Also Nessa Childers is a twat for taking part in such a stupid idea typical of the EU.

    Reply
  • I have a speedo in my car, but hands-up I still speed occasionally

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  • My first Japanese Import a 1984 Toyota Corolla had such a device fitted and every time I passed 60 mls an hour it beeped. Wonder why it was not brought on with newer model of cars? Deirdre Fitzpatrick

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  • Sure no one can afford a new car anyways, so this stupid idea won’t matter!

    Reply
  • F M A 14/04/11 #

    Jesus. The f***ing EU will be outlawing breathing next.

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  • More stupid rules from the commissars of the EUSSR to make it look like they are making themselves useful. An enforcement of the laws we have would make more sense and cost us a lot less,does that woman not know that we are all broke ? Proper driver training is overdue and would make a lot more sense on the safety front.
    And fixing the bloody potholes.

    Reply
  • I have an 2001 Alfa 166 that has that speed beeper thing in it. Every time I go over 60 mph the thing beeps at me. It is a pain in the a$$!

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  • It will never happen. Can you imagine BMW fitting this in there new M5.

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  • Distracting if you’re taking over?? But is a speed limit not the limit… I’m not sure the law allows you to go over it if you’re just overtaking.

    As for the EU monitoring everything, will this not just be an indicator to you to let you know if you’re breaking the law. Possibly speed limiters, as opposed to indicators, would be more effective.

    Finally for not buying a car that has one, if it’s an EU law, then every new car will have one, so what choice will you have.

    Reply
  • It will never happen. New cars have a beeper in them when you don’t have your seatbelt on, can you imagine your jus flyin the shop with no seatbelt on and happen to go more than 50kph, there would be beepers goin like f*ck haha brilliant. Personally I think it will never happen too costly and just absurd. The seatbelt beepers are an excellent idea and really do work but a speed beeper is just ridiculous

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  • I would love to see how they would enforce an example of 30kmph on the new N3/M50 flyover, considering average speed there is 60-70. I’m sure there is many more.
    I did think of this idea the other day on the n4. A better device would be something that calculates your time from point A to B to point C and so on and determines that you sped to get there in any given time

    Reply

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