Cars are increasingly starting to do more things for their drivers. From keeping an eye on upcoming speed cameras, to keeping tabs on the current speed limits, and even cars that park themselves, the technology of the automobile is ever-expanding towards total automation. But is this progression liable to turn drivers into zombies, taking away their need to stay alert and out of danger?

I have a confession to make: I don’t drive. I may be 31-years-old but the idea of getting behind the wheel of a car has never appealed to me. There is one major reason for this: the thought of being in sole charge of what is essentially a weapon capable of inflicting death and destruction on innocent bystanders in the wrong hands, namely mine.

So a new recommendation by the Commission for Integrated Transport and Motorists’ Forum, a British government advisory committee intrigued me no end. The newly published report suggests fitting automatic speed limiting devices to cars, which would prevent them being able to go above the speed limit, ever.

According to The Guardian newspaper, the devices could be fitted on a voluntary basis to cars in the UK. Then using detailed digital maps, the device could match the car’s speed limit to the speed limit imposed on each and every road in the country. The report suggests that not only would the devices cut almost a third of all injuries on the road, they would help reduce carbon emissions.

There is, however, one potential problem with the scheme, and this is the risk of turning drivers into nothing more than zombies or drones. With the car taking care of the speed limits, drivers would inevitably drift off and stop paying quite so much attention to the road ahead.

As a non-driver put off by the dangers of driving, not only to me but to all those unfortunate pedestrians in my way, I like the idea of a system that ensures safe speeds are maintained at all times. However, until the car also takes on the job of steering and preventing crashes, basically doing the whole thing instead of the driver, this could cause more accidents than ever.

The thing is, I can envision a time when we’ll jump into our car, program in a destination and then sit back and enjoy the ride without having to do anything. It might be science-fiction right now but it’s sure to be reality at some point. By then, though, I’ll probably be wither too old to even leave my commode or six feet under.

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Entry was posted on Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 at 1:05 am under Auto, Opinion, Technology.

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