It seems that just about every road authority in Australia is jumping on the Vision Zero band wagon and trialing ISA.
What does that mean? Well, as I’ve discussed in issue #2 of our excellent new magazine Cruiser+Trike (shameless plug), ISA is the latest fashion in road “safety”. Here’s a quick quote.

The loony extremists of the road safety lobby are even proposing that so called 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' (ISA) black boxes be installed in all vehicles. These would hold a map of all speed limits, determine your position from satellite signals and adjust the throttle - or even apply the brakes - to prevent your vehicle from exceeding the speed limit.

Just imagine that: you’re overtaking a B-Double, and suddenly the bike loses power because you’re over the limit… happy day.

You think I’m kidding?

Here’s a rundown from the “European Transport Safety Council”, a non-government body which has an… interesting take on traffic management.

“ ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ is an Intelligent Transport System which informs, warns and discourages the driver to exceed the speed limit”, says their website. Let’s hope they’re better at road safety work than they are at grammar. And note the use of the word “intelligent” to sell something which involves no intelligence whatsoever.

“There are three types of ISA: ‘Informative’ (or ‘advisory’) ISA gives the driver a feedback in the form of a visual or an audio the form of a visual or an audio signal. ‘Supportive’ (or ‘warning’) ISA increases the upward pressure on the gas pedal. It is possible to override the supportive system by pressing the accelerator harder.” And here’s the crunch.

“ ‘Intervening’ (or ‘mandatory’) ISA totally prevents speeding, for example by reducing fuel injection or by requiring a ‘kick-down’ by the driver if he or she wishes to exceed the limit.”

And guess which of these alternatives ETSC prefers?

“The more ‘intervening’ the system is, the more significant are the benefits,” says the website.

And the less drivers need to engage their brains. I think this is dangerous. What do you think?