EU says new cars must include built-in speed limiters

Imagine it - person wants to go bird hunting, and the local school is great hunting grounds. A kid gets killed by some stray buckshot, and they get a fine and increased insurance costs.

But we let people operate deadly devices right by streets (you know, the things made for walking until ~100 years ago), schools, parks, etc. and _even when their irresponsibility kills people_ the punishments are tiny. The only exception seems to be alcohol - but just being an idiot driver is fine.

I strongly dislike the privacy implications and nanny state here. But not as much as I dislike ~60,000 dead people a year. Besides, if you carry a phone (or licence place for that matter) you've sacrificed all your privacy anyway.

And really, it's more deaths than that, due to excess pollution (both air pollution and sound pollution).

Many systems already exists like that. Even simple ones which you can set by hand to a specific speed and it will beep when you go over.

[1] ""The Commission wanted to make it compulsory that the car would automatically slow down to observe speed limits but we have secured a compromise where the system merely has to alert the driver that he or she is speeding," said Daniel Dalton, the Tory MEP for the West Midlands."

I know this doesn’t limit freedoms, per se, since it’s already illegal to speed. But I find something about it deeply troubling.

Most manufacturers seem to have these systems already (even if they're reserved as optional extras / high end models) - and it seems crazy that this wouldn't be the first safety measure to apply.

Edit: Seems this story has been moderated: http://hnrankings.info/19498747/ @dang - any idea why? Seems a few stories about EU regs, but this is focusing on motoring.

What is a problem is fixing this shit when it breaks. Which it will because it adds to the bottom line cost of the vehicle so will be done by the lowest bidder.

(1) It's an unnecessary limitation on personal freedom.

(2) It's a burden to people with lung issues.

(2a) It introduces the possibility or infectious disease spread, because people share cars and are less likely to clean the breathaliser frequently enough to prevent bacterial buildup.

(3) These things are garbage and often don't work the first time, especially in the cold.

I really like the current state of affairs here in Germany where speeding is a minor office until around >40km/h at which point you'd get a 1 month driving ban. This means that when the traffic conditions permit you can easily go that 10-20km/h faster and no harm done. (This applies to landstrasse)

FYI here's a table describing the fines for speeding: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/german-driving-laws/

I bet in reality this is just about some instance wanting to have mandatory GPS tracking in the vehicles for their own malicious purposes.

"It is true that cars built in Britain will have to carry these safety systems and standards if they are to be exported to the EU," Mr Dalton said. "But we have also secured improved rules"

Its almost like having a seat at the table, for your biggest export market is a good thing.

Obviously this plan will have a few hurdles to take before it becomes law. Also, I expect e.g. the German car lobby to not like this at all as they do like their no limits stretches of autobahn here.

So all new cars track you and can track others on the road as well?

Perhaps I am irrational nut but I always dislike state and technology taking away agency from me.

It's about safety, and no street legal car should be driven above 140-160km/h (87-100mph) on the highway; most people do not know how to handle a car above 80mph. It's really dangerous for both that car as well everybody around. IF you drive on your own land, race track etc. then yeah, that's where it should be allowed.