Transportation Safety Board Proposes Dystopian Technology To Limit Your Speed While Driving
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is urging the implementation of “intelligent speed assistance technology” (ISA) in all new cars following a tragic accident in Nevada that claimed nine lives.
In a press release last week, the NTSB explained how ISA utilizes a car’s GPS location and onboard cameras to ensure safe and legal speeds by comparing them with a database of posted speed limits.
“Passive ISA systems provide visual, sound, or haptic alerts to warn drivers when they exceed the speed limit, and it is the driver’s responsibility to slow down,” the agency stated. “Active systems include mechanisms that make it more difficult, though not impossible, to exceed the speed limit, and some even electronically limit the vehicle’s speed to prevent drivers from going over the limit.”
The NTSB issued these recommendations after a tragic incident in January 2022, where a 2018 Dodge Challenger collided with a minivan at 103 mph in North Las Vegas. The driver was found to be under the influence of cocaine and PCP.
“This crash is just one of many devastating accidents we’ve investigated that resulted from speeding and impairment, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” emphasized NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy in the press release. “We know that redundancy is the key to saving lives, as it can protect us all from human errors on the road. What we lack is the collective will to act on NTSB safety recommendations.”
While the legal speed limits in the U.S. are capped at 85 mph, vehicles are designed to go much faster to facilitate safe passing and emergency maneuvers. The ability to go faster also reduces strain on vehicles at lower speeds.
The NTSB’s ISA mandate, along with the “kill switch” requirement outlined in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, sets the stage for corporate and government surveillance and intervention in personal mobility.
[LISTEN:[LISTEN:The Dystopic Power Grab Nobody Is Talking About]
In California, activists have cited climate change as a justification for new regulations that limit transportation options. Last summer, the California Air Resources Board introduced new regulations banning the sale of gasoline-powered cars by 2035. However, the following week, California Governor Gavin Newsom pleaded with residents not to charge their electric vehicles during a heat wave to prevent overwhelming the power grid.
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. He has also written for The Washington Examiner and The Daily Signal. His work has been featured in Real Clear Politics and Fox News. Tristan graduated from George Washington University with a major in political science and a minor in journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
What are the potential benefits of implementing intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology?
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Proponents of ISA argue that the benefits outweigh the concerns. The technology has the potential to save lives by preventing accidents caused by speeding. According to the NTSB, speeding is a factor in around 30% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. By enforcing speed limits, ISA can significantly reduce the number of these tragic incidents.
Opponents of ISA, on the other hand, raise concerns over privacy and personal freedoms. The implementation of ISA means that vehicles will constantly be monitored and controlled by external systems. This raises questions about data privacy and the potential for abuse or misuse of this information.
Another concern is the reliability and accuracy of ISA systems. While the technology has advanced significantly, there is still a possibility of false readings or errors in determining speed limits. This could lead to situations where drivers are unfairly penalized or restricted from traveling at appropriate speeds.
Despite these concerns, the NTSB argues that the benefits of ISA far outweigh the risks. They believe that the technology will save countless lives and reduce the number of devastating accidents caused by speeding and impaired driving.
Additionally, the NTSB emphasizes the need for collective action and the implementation of their safety recommendations. They urge lawmakers and automotive manufacturers to prioritize safety and make ISA a mandatory feature in all new cars.
It is important to strike a balance between safety and personal freedoms. While ISA has the potential to prevent accidents and save lives, it is crucial that privacy concerns are addressed and that the technology is reliable and accurate. By working together, government agencies, manufacturers, and privacy advocates can ensure that ISA is implemented responsibly and effectively.
The tragic accident in Nevada serves as a stark reminder of the importance of speed management and the need for advanced technologies like ISA. It is time to prioritize road safety and take proactive measures to prevent accidents caused by speeding. Implementing ISA in all new cars is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
Only through collective action and a genuine commitment to road safety can we hope to reduce the number of accidents and save lives. The implementation of ISA is a vital component of this collective effort.
