Cars to Warn of Speeding

This weekend I was testing the cruise control in my car to see how well it worked in my 25 mph neighborhood, and discovered not too well as it accelerated and slowed in a not so efficient manner. I was dreaming that it would be great if you could program your car to automatically go the speed limit, and low and behold I read this morning that Siemens is working on technology to help prevent drivers from collecting tickets.

According to the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star(I'm sure you read it often too), Siemens is developing a camera and sensor system that will read the speed limit signs and warn you if you are driving over the limit. (I thought that was what my wife was for.)

• When a driver is not responding correctly to a sign, an alarm sounds, and a heads-up display flashes on the car's windshield at a 30-degree angle from the driver's vision, in a position that doesn't block the view of the road, but doesn't require your eyes to be shifted away from traffic. It seems to be suspended in mid-air above the front bumper, so the driver's eyes don't have to refocus.*

This is part of Siemens attempt at creating accident-free driving technology, an ambitious but laudable goal. The system will be out in a few years as part of an option package and will include sensors to watch drivers' eye movements to see if they are tired or distracted.

Although it can't prevent other drivers' mistakes, investing in this technology could help to protect your family more than buying an oversized vehicle.