Why doesn't the government limit how fast cars can go in the factory?

Question

If so many accidents happen because of speeders, then why not program the cars not to exceed.. lets say 100 kmh/70mph as that is the maximum speed limit in North America?

Answer 1

Well, first off, 70 MPH is NOT the highest speed limit in North America! The highest posted speed limit in the US is 80 MPH on some rural TX interstate highways. And in Montana there is NO speed limit on the rural interstates during daylight hours. (And 100 kmh is not 70 MPH. It's 62 MPH.)

Although the advertising hype is "speed kills" this is not true. Drunk drivers kill FAR more people than speeding alone does. Inattention makes up for the vast majority of all other accidents where alcohol or drugs are not a factor. Speeding alone is the primary cause of only a tiny fraction of all accidents.

There are times when speeding is necessary. It's up to the driver to satisfy the cop or the judge that this is the case. I did get a ticket tossed when I was rushing my son to the hospital following a drug overdose.

A few vehicles actually DO have speed limiters installed at the factory. This limits the speed to 150 MPH due to the limitations of tire technology more than any other reason. This is a choice of the manufacturers, not forced by legislation.

Lastly, there was an effort in Congress to force manufacturers to limit the top speed of vehicles back in the 1970s following the first Arab Oil Embargo. The public outcry against that effort convinced Congress of the folly of that idea, so much so that it will not likely ever be attempted again. Anybody remember the seatbelt interlock?

Answer 2

They do to some extent. There is usually a cut-off valve.. Once the speedometer reads a certain speed, the censor picks it up and notifies the internal computer to withhold or decrease in some models the fuel consumption to the engine.

This of course can be taken out-- which is what usually happens to those interested in "racing."

But.. if they were so smart, they would know that, with respects to Aerodynamics, a ground based object does not need a "spoiler" to affect it's aerodynamics when accelerating at what is considered "high speeds."

Technically, spoilers do not add weight... They simply decrease induced drag when airflow accumulates around the frame of the vehicle in the rear. The back windshield has a flatter surface, and in turn creates an area of drag...

This drag is now flowing over and underneath the spoiler, which cuts the drag up, and creates a neutral force... IE: pressure on either side is close to being equal, while as an airplane wing, high pressure flows under the wing, and low pressure above, which causes the lifting force of an airfoil.

Spoilers arn't needed on objects moving on the ground if they are at speeds less than 250 knots..or about 280 mph.

With that being said, the next time you see a spoiler on a car-- know that it's just for looks and nothing else... Besides, cars don't need spoilers unless they fly... and personally I haven't seen one of them lately.

Back to governors... So, the governors they install in stock, can be taken out-- but, usually around 90 mph, this effect takes place-- that is the governor kicks in, sends the info to the internal computer where it then releases the acceleration pedal.. or disengages the accelerator, which then slows the vehicle.

Perhaps manufacturers do not decrease this mechanism because the device or the device(s) working with eachother to permit such an action cost too much...

Remember, everything cost money-- even if it's something that provides safety. And if it's a negative impact financially to the manufacturer, don't rely on them committing themselves to it.

--Rob :)~

Answer 3

First of all, 100 kmh is 62 mph. Second of all, in order to mechanically regulate cars to a certain maximum speed, you would have to force everyone to bring their cars in to either put a limiter on them or trade them for a new car with a limiter. Third of all, statistics do not back you up. Drunks kill a lot of people on the road, but there is little or nothing done to prevent the problem. An awful lot of crashes and fatalities occur at low speed, say under 65 mph. Like when someone drives into a crowd of pedestrians. If your goal is to prevent highway deaths, there are much more effective ways that will give you much better results.

Answer 4

Accidents don't happen because of speeders. The NSF says that accidents occur because people are not paying attention to their driving. A better solution would be to ban cell phones. Not just in cars , but everywhere. Also get laptops out of cars.

Answer 5

because there all kinds of business that rely on speeders and their accidents. cities make money on the tickets they write for speeding. insurance companies charge more for people with tkts. gas companies make more when you burn more gas going fast. car companies(make more from servicing cars than selling them) and body shops get money fixing damaged cars. parts stores make money making and selling parts that make your car go faster. car companies build and sponsor race cars so you will come and buy their brand. can you think of any more examples that profit from speed and distruction. tow truck companies. dismantlers. ambulances. and they all give money (political contributions) to keep the laws and regulations the way they are. besides the consumer likes to buy fast cars.

Answer 6

You must not have a fast car......because if you did you would not want the government to limit the top speed of cars.

Answer 7

it's a free world. someone was driving here in a 25mph speed zone at 60 mph and killed their passenger when they flipped over after driver's error.
you can die from tripping on the ground and hitting your head. should the government regulate walking?

it's a matter of personal responsibility.

Answer 8

you can limit speed but you cant limit stupidity

Answer 9

yes