11 May 09 13:17
Trial includes one taxi
Vehicles in London will be fitted with speed limiters in a trial designed to curb the number of speed-related accidents.
The trial, run by Transport for London (TfL), will include a London bus, one taxi and 20 council vehicles. They will all be fitted with new Intelligent Speed Adaption (ISA) technology that uses satellite global positioning technology to detect the local speed limit, automatically slowing down a speeding vehicle if necessary.
ISA will be offered to private buyers within the next 12 months, but is already expected to be a big hit with business customers such as courier firms who want to cut the number of accidents and reduce fuel use.
Southward Council has already expressed its interest in fitting the new ISA technology to its 300-strong fleet. Council member Jeff Hook said: 'This technology could revolutionise the way we keep our roads safer in Southwark.'
The AA, meanwhile, has opted for a more guarded response in welcoming the new road safety experiment.
Head of road safety Andrew Howard said: 'Drivers are divided in their views of intelligent speed adaptation. Some hate it, some want it. Many have questions that will be answered only by trials like those being carried out by TfL.'
TfL has insisted the device will not be made mandatory, hoping drivers would voluntarily agree to take part in the ISA scheme.
The result of the trial will be published in the spring.
