Big Brother in Britain

[Tony]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1111211,00.html ...full article

After speed cameras, road humps and mobile phone bans, there could be more bad news for Britain's motorists. Police are urging Ministers to give them the power to stop vehicles by remote control.
In what will be seen as yet another example of the in-creasing power of Big Brother, drivers face the prospect of their cars being halted by somebody pushing a button.

I'm interested to know what the Brits think of this.

 

[American]

Not to go off-topic, but what would you think if cars were built to max out at 90 mph (via a computer trip, not by downgrading the engine)? No more high speed chases. It's a similar concept, one that I'm in favor of. 85 might be better even. (Course then you'll have the police arguing that it should be lowered to the actual limit of 65.... or 75 in parts of the Southwest.)

 

[Grammatron]

Not to go off-topic, but what would you think if cars were built to max out at 90 mph (via a computer trip, not by downgrading the engine)? No more high speed chases. It's a similar concept, one that I'm in favor of. 85 might be better even. (Course then you'll have the police arguing that it should be lowered to the actual limit of 65.... or 75 in parts of the Southwest.)

There could be a "high-speed" chase at 20 Mph not to mention the fact that speed governors are very easy to over-ride.

 

[Andonyx]

Not to go off-topic, but what would you think if cars were built to max out at 90 mph (via a computer trip, not by downgrading the engine)? No more high speed chases. It's a similar concept, one that I'm in favor of. 85 might be better even. (Course then you'll have the police arguing that it should be lowered to the actual limit of 65.... or 75 in parts of the Southwest.)

For safety and traffic flow, you must be able to exceed the maximum speed limit by some margin.

If you cannot pass or manuever around cars going at maximum speed limit in your own car that reduces your options for lane changing by half and severaly hinders traffic progress, as studies I'm far too lazy to look up have shown.

 

[American]

... not to mention the fact that speed governors are very easy to over-ride.

A typical chase is a 17-year old without a license who stole the car moments before for a joyride. There's also a lot who steal it to commit a robbery. If a regular person wants to override it, have fun. Most criminals won't have the chance or even bother if they do since they don't plan on getting caught.

 

[American]

For safety and traffic flow, you must be able to exceed the maximum speed limit by some margin.

If you cannot pass or manuever around cars going at maximum speed limit in your own car that reduces your options for lane changing by half and severaly hinders traffic progress, as studies I'm far too lazy to look up have shown.

That's why I say 85, maybe 90. I got balls of steal, and even I don't drive that fast. Maybe 84 was the highest ever. (I don't recall, and it was so long ago it's too late to prosecute me for any laws I may or may not have broken.)

 

[Jon_in_london]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1111211,00.html ...full article
I'm interested to know what the Brits think of this.

I have no problem with it.

Im always amazed at how motorists are outraged that the gov is trying to stop them breaking the law and endangering the lives of others.

 

[Tony]

That's why I say 85, maybe 90. I got balls of steal, and even I don't drive that fast. Maybe 84 was the highest ever. (I don't recall, and it was so long ago it's too late to prosecute me for any laws I may or may not have broken.)

84 is the fastest you've driven? cough*pussy*cough.


I am against speed governors of any kind, it's up to the police to enforce the laws.

 

[Tony]

Re: Re: Big Brother in Britain

I have no problem with it.

Im always amazed at how motorists are outraged that the gov is trying to stop them breaking the law and endangering the lives of others.

Let me guess, if they aren't doing anything illegal they don't have anything to hide right?

 

[Jon_in_london]

84 is the fastest you've driven? cough*pussy*cough.


I am against speed governors of any kind, it's up to the police to enforce the laws.

Tony, I rather think its up to citizens to obey the law.

Otherwise dont complain when the police start using cameras etc..

 

[American]

I am against speed governors of any kind, it's up to the police to enforce the laws.

Yes, but the laws of physics overrule all others..... *CRASH*

 

[Jon_in_london]

Re: Re: Re: Big Brother in Britain

Let me guess, if they aren't doing anything illegal they don't have anything to hide right?

Its unfortunate that there are a great number of selfish and irresponsible poeple who insist on endagering other people's lives and property thereby neccesitating this kind of thing.

Im not enarmoured with the idea of a survelence society but if that what it takes to protect the public from these selfish veterinary supositries, then so be it.

 

[Tony]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Big Brother in Britain

Its unfortunate that there are a great number of selfish and irresponsible poeple who insist on endagering other people's lives and property thereby neccesitating this kind of thing.

Im not enarmoured with the idea of a survelence society but if that what it takes to protect the public from these selfish veterinary supositries, then so be it.

So liberty means nothing?

 

[Jon_in_london]

Yes, but the laws of physics overrule all others..... *CRASH*

That being the crux of the matter.

 

[Jon_in_london]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Big Brother in Britain

So liberty means nothing?

Liberty means everything Tony.

But you are only considering the liberty of the offender, not the liberty of the other driver/passenger/pedestrian who is also trying to use the use the road and should have the liberty to use it without fear being killed or maimed by some idiot who thinks they are Aryton Senna.

Dont put the rights of the criminal before the rights of the victim.

 

[Luke T.]

I would like to know how a cop in a police car would be able to single out the car he is chasing with his magic wand and stop just that car while in the middle of chasing that car.

I don't like the idea of anyone being able to stop my car. If the cops can do it, then so can someone else. Kind of raises road rage to a whole new level. And car-jacking.

 

[Jon_in_london]

I would like to know how a cop in a police car would be able to single out the car he is chasing with his magic wand and stop just that car while in the middle of chasing that car.

I don't like the idea of anyone being able to stop my car. If the cops can do it, then so can someone else. Kind of raises road rage to a whole new level. And car-jacking.

Yup, it does open up a can of worms. I think wiith the current technology, its possible but bear in mind its not something that just any old joe can do, also it could also be used against car-jacking.

 

[BTox]

I don't like the idea of anyone being able to stop my car. If the cops can do it, then so can someone else. Kind of raises road rage to a whole new level. And car-jacking.

Good points. There would be a massive black market business on disabling/shielding the system.

 

[Grammatron]

I would like to know how a cop in a police car would be able to single out the car he is chasing with his magic wand and stop just that car while in the middle of chasing that car.

I don't like the idea of anyone being able to stop my car. If the cops can do it, then so can someone else. Kind of raises road rage to a whole new level. And car-jacking.

Oh that's easy. The same principal is used by Onstar(tm) to unlock doors and locate cars using Satellite. I am not aware of any case where a thief hacked into Onstar to steal a car. Of course this would be very expensive to put in every single car, but at the rate technology is progressing I would not be surprised if in 10-15 years it would be a standard option that police can utilize. It doesn’t scare me as long as I can disable it.

 

[Tony]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Big Brother in Britain

But you are only considering the liberty of the offender, not the liberty of the other driver/passenger/pedestrian who is also trying to use the use the road and should have the liberty to use it without fear being killed or maimed by some idiot who thinks they are Aryton Senna.

I’m considering the liberty of everyone. Giving the government power to stop me in a car opens up all kinds of doors for abuse of power. The person living in fear does not have a right to infringe on my liberty. It is their responsibility to deal with their fear.