The Fact Controller
Intelligent Speed Adaptation. Let me tell you my experience a with cruise control which was switched off. Went into a parking place when the engine suddenly raced at full throttle and I was nearly sent through the window of a shop. A mechanic who drove the car had a similar experience. This mysterious effect was finally unravelled by the AA who disconnected the device so that it could never work again. I am seeking the cooperation of the insurance firm involved in claiming against the devices' manufacturer.
Asked on 28 February 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
Campaigner, Idris Francis, says: “The ISA scheme is in any case very seriously flawed because the accident reductions claimed far, far exceed the proportion due to speeding in the first place, ignore any and all possible adverse side effects that would cause accidents, and in cost recovery terms are based on the ludicrous assumption that without ISA accident levels will remain close to present levels for the next 60 years - despite all the technology we can expect in that time.”
Honest John adds: "The complexity of electronic emissions equipment imposed on modern cars by lobbied governments has actually made them unreliable. Electronic throttle modules fail regularly. So it is extraordinarily arrogant of anyone to think that externally controlling a car's functions by another computer lined to GPS will reliably work in a safe manner. And, of course, there is the factor of liability. If an ISA car crashes for any reason, then whose fault is it? Is it the fault of the driver, or is it the fault of the failure of the system for taking control away from him. The likelihood of the manufacturer of the equipment being held liable is so great that though Honda has a system that very effectively speed and brake controls a car and keeps it between the lane markings of a motorway, it cannot be operated for more than 15 seconds otherwise Honda rather than the driver could be held liable if the car ever crashed."
Honest John adds: "The complexity of electronic emissions equipment imposed on modern cars by lobbied governments has actually made them unreliable. Electronic throttle modules fail regularly. So it is extraordinarily arrogant of anyone to think that externally controlling a car's functions by another computer lined to GPS will reliably work in a safe manner. And, of course, there is the factor of liability. If an ISA car crashes for any reason, then whose fault is it? Is it the fault of the driver, or is it the fault of the failure of the system for taking control away from him. The likelihood of the manufacturer of the equipment being held liable is so great that though Honda has a system that very effectively speed and brake controls a car and keeps it between the lane markings of a motorway, it cannot be operated for more than 15 seconds otherwise Honda rather than the driver could be held liable if the car ever crashed."
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