Speed limit technology for buses could prevent accidents
- Mar 23, 2016
- EmmaArnold
New buses across London will be fitted with technology which limits the speed of the vehicle, announced Transport for London (TfL).
The introduction of the technology comes in a bid to improve road safety in the capital to control speeds on the city's bus network.
A trial of the Intelligent Speed Assistance technology in the capital was deemed a 'success'.
TfL found the trials to be most effective when travelling through 20mph zones which are being introduced widely throughout the roads in London.
Gary Herbert, Senior Solicitor at PotterReesDolan, said:
It is pleasing to note that Transport for London has taken a lead in enforcing the speed limits on their buses, particularly with the lower speed limit areas of 20mph, and hopefully these technologies will be adopted by other businesses and individuals across the country.
As a firm, we sadly see the effects of accidents involving speeding vehicles and pedestrians or cyclists on a regular basis. It is important to note that not only can a reduction in speed lead to reduced injuries when an impact does take place, it can also make some accidents avoidable by giving more time for drivers to react to events on the road. However, we do need to remember that the speed limit is a ‘limit’ and in certain situations a lower speed may be appropriate.
The introduction of this new technology are part of the commitment by TfL and the mayor to halve the number of people killed and seriously injured on London's roads by 2020.
By preventing the buses from accelerating over a certain limit, it also helps to ensure other vehicles in the 20mph zones in particular to adhere to the speed limit.