Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

arstechnica.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

111–120 of 277 posts

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#111

Post by jacquesm »

henvic wrote: post #105

If I were automaker I'd consider allowing bursts above the maximum speed limit for a few seconds. I'm not a fan of limiting (besides for warranty, electronics reasons) and prefer to educate rather than restrict. However, if taking this approach I believe you should consider that some people might drive in the limit and they deserve to be in power of their vehicles regardless. Imagine if you drive near this software-l…

In all of my 32 years of driving and over many many miles I've had exactly one situation where acceleration helped me avoid an accident and it wasn't anywhere near the local speed limit. On the way to visiting another HN user I was about to turn left and looking into the low sun waiting for a vehicle that was barely visible to pass. Then I moved across the lane and another vehicle appeared quite close behind the previous one. Because of staring into the sun for too long waiting for the first one I had developed a really nice blind spot for the second car to hide in. It wasn't visible to me until it was almost on top of me. That's the only time that a large engine ever made a difference (and I'd never really floored it all the way in city traffic before but that was impressive). All the other times it was the brakes that saved the day.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#113

Post by edgarvaldes »

Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #86
tracker1 wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I drive a 392 challenger scat pack shaker... I don't think I've ever had it over 100, though the max is 201. I'm not sure I'd be bothered by a regulator for the top speed. That said, I don't think speeding is even close to the number 1 killer these days... Cell phones seem to be the leading cause of accidents these days. Maybe they should detect motion over 5mph and turn off display of messaging apps, only bluetooth…

> accidents I prefer to use the term "collision" because "accident" implies there's nobody to blame.

I saw the movie last night :)

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#114

Post by benj111 »

larkeith wrote: post #53
SketchySeaBeast wrote: post #3

Is there any particular reasoning as to that value? If we assume major highway limits of 70 mph and add an excessive 20-30 mph for passing, that's still a ton of extra lethal kinetic energy. edit: Apparently even the Autobahn has a recommended speed of 80 mph (I'm aware you can go faster, but then why have a limit at all?)

I suspect they decided that 180 kph is the sweet spot of "still significantly more survivable than higher speeds" and "won't prompt much consumer outrage". Though I'm sure there will still be no lack of people raging about Volvo impeding their freedom.

Why would there be consumer outrage? If you're planning to speed past 180kph don't buy a Volvo.

I doubt the Venn diagram of both groups shows much overlap anyway.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#115

Post by dmitriid »

henvic wrote: post #105

If I were automaker I'd consider allowing bursts above the maximum speed limit for a few seconds. I'm not a fan of limiting (besides for warranty, electronics reasons) and prefer to educate rather than restrict. However, if taking this approach I believe you should consider that some people might drive in the limit and they deserve to be in power of their vehicles regardless. Imagine if you drive near this software-l…

At 112mph you’re traveling 54 yards (50 meters) per second.

There’s no situation that can be solved by increasing speed at this velocity. You simply won’t have the time to react. Unless, of course, you’re trying to outrun a train in a car chase in a movie.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#117

Post by benj111 »

mrguyorama wrote: post #65
throwawayst808 wrote: post #31

Just out of curiosity, am I the only one that's tried the top speed of every car I've owned? German cars have limiters at 130 or 155mph, and the first time I hit the 130 limiter was a surprise (suddenly lost acceleration, thought I had an engine problem, then realized I just hit the limiter). Surely I'm not the only one? Intended out of real curiosity

Many places in the USA, passing a cop while hitting the limiter would result in at least a night in jail, instant driver's license loss, and lots and lots of money. The vast majority of Americans cannot afford even a basic speeding ticket, let alone that kind of expense. So no, you aren't the only one, but certainly experiencing that kind of risk is a massively luxurious thing that the vast majority of people cannot…

"experiencing that kind of risk is a massively luxurious thing that the vast majority of people cannot afford"

That seems a strange way to characterise breaking the law.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#118

Post by sevensor »

chasingthewind wrote: post #5

There is no circumstances under which a maximum speed of 112 would bother me. I drive a Honda Fit. I don't think I have ever driven it over 85 miles per hour (137km/hr). I'm not comfortable driving faster than that. What makes me mad is that my speedometer goes up to 140mph! Why?! The only answer I've ever seen that makes sense is that it's a marketing tool, but who honestly buys a Honda Fit and thinks to themselves…

What we need here is a log scale speedometer. Goes up to 140 in case your brakes and transmission fail while descending a steep hill, but gives you plenty of resolution at the lower speeds.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#119

Post by conductr »

Sohcahtoa82 wrote: post #85
jefft255 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My new iphone will actually ask me to confirm that I am not driving before unlocking when it thinks I am

All that adds is an extra step. The type of person who texts while driving is going to lie to their phone and tell it they're a passenger right before they start texting.

What’s worse than distracted driving? Being interrupted while distracted driving.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#120

Post by tristor »

jacquesm wrote: post #111
henvic wrote: post #105

If I were automaker I'd consider allowing bursts above the maximum speed limit for a few seconds. I'm not a fan of limiting (besides for warranty, electronics reasons) and prefer to educate rather than restrict. However, if taking this approach I believe you should consider that some people might drive in the limit and they deserve to be in power of their vehicles regardless. Imagine if you drive near this software-l…

In all of my 32 years of driving and over many many miles I've had exactly one situation where acceleration helped me avoid an accident and it wasn't anywhere near the local speed limit. On the way to visiting another HN user I was about to turn left and looking into the low sun waiting for a vehicle that was barely visible to pass. Then I moved across the lane and another vehicle appeared quite close behind the prev…

Meanwhile, I find that acceleration has helped me to avoid accidents numerous times in my ~17 years driving. Everybody has different experiences.
Post reply on HN