The NTSB Wants More Speed-Limiting Tech in New Vehicles
New cars have all sorts of driver monitoring tech on board that can tell when a person is paying attention or has their hands on the wheel, but the National Transportation Safety Board feels there’s a need for more. The NTSB asked 17 automakers to add anti-speeding tech to new vehicles going forward, following an extremely deadly crash in Las Vegas last year that left nine people dead.
The crash was caused by a driver traveling 103 mph in a 2018 Dodge Challenger. Five other vehicles were involved, including a minivan with seven people inside. Besides the drugs in the driver’s system, the car’s extreme speed turned it into a deadly battering ram.
Following its investigation into the crash, the NTSB asked 17 automakers, including BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, and VW, to equip new vehicles with speed-assistance features. The NTSB recommended that the vehicles have a speed warning system at a minimum, but some automakers offer more aggressive systems that make it harder and more annoying to speed.
The NTSB also asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require speed-limiting tech in new vehicles and recommended the group add testing criteria for the functions in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The NHTSA is reviewing public comments on the topic of speed-assist tech, but the NTSB has continued pushing forward with its efforts, asking the IIHS to assess the impact of risky behaviors portrayed in vehicle marketing campaigns.
While many of us would probably rather not have more monitoring equipment in our cars, there’s no doubt that driver aids save lives. On top of that, the number of advanced safety features is set to increase as vehicles become more connected, not the other way around.
[Image: Railway FX via Shutterstock]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- Ras815 Those enormous, hideous U.S. spec bumpers remind me of those full-head orthodontic braces that kids used to have wear back then, too. Yikes.
- Ravenuer I was looking forward to this article on the 59-60 Broughams (Italian). One of my favorite Cadillacs. However I was disappointed that you didn't even have any pictures of it in the article. I was expecting much more detail about it. Oh well, still enjoyed reading it.
- Dartdude Mitsubishi's problem is that the designs are ugly and weird. Using Nissan's platforms isn't going to help. Build a new Montero and a pickup. Ditch Nissan's CVT use a six speed auto. Make sedans and minivans.
- Carsofchaos I guess I'm probably the target market: 50 years old, I own a house and make north of 200,000 a year. I've not found the styling as bas as most people on TTAC seem to. I don't even really mind the name (though it should have been Galax-E....come on Ford). I looked at these last weekend on the dealer lot and the only model I would go for is a GT but they were still pushing $60,000. It's still a no sale for me
- Kcflyer Thank you to all those whose service made this the greatest nation on earth. With nerve before seen levels of freedom and prosperity. May we be worthy beneficiaries
Comments
Join the conversation
I would happily program my vehicle to never go above 80mph, and same for the car my teenage daughter drives. Doesn't need to be some high-tech solution.
And my employer would gladly do the same on all our fleet vehicles.
You want unlimited speed? Take it the track.
LIke it or not driving a vehicle of any kind is inherently dangerous, add drugs, road rage, distracted driving and you have the makings of of a potentially dangerous happening. And you don't have to be driving at 103 mph to have a tragedy, that can occur at 35, 40 mph. If someone gets repeatedly pulled over for impaired driving, take their license away take away their license until they complete some type of treatment program and can demonstrate they can properly operate a vehicle.