Speed ​​warning with beeping terror – that strains the nerves

Opinion

While citizens are still chewing on the welded bottle cap, the EU has already launched its next annoying program. The beeping terror is intended to reduce the number of accidents in traffic. Not everyone has noticed this yet, because only new cars are equipped with the European educational feature. But over time, every car will be blessed with it, because from July 7th it will be compulsory.

What is it about? Excessive speed is one of the main causes of accidents. Wouldn’t it help a lot if the speed limit was adhered to? Simply braking the car automatically seems a bit radical, but a beeping sound that reminds you of the injury is no big deal. After all, it’s the same when you don’t wear your seatbelt.

Sneak or beep says the speed warning

The idea sounds very convincing, at least for people who never drive themselves because the chauffeur takes the seat. Problem number one: there is only a minimal tolerance zone. In the 30 km/h zone, the beeper starts squawking at 31 km/h, and at 50, 70, etc. But since no one can drive at a constant 50, it beeps constantly. Overtaking in the city – even if it’s just a bicycle – is practically impossible. If you want to avoid the beeper, you have to stick to a grace zone yourself. So set your speed to just over 40 so that you don’t exceed the beeper threshold with every maneuver. This is not a real alternative, because it triggers a concert of honking from the old car drivers behind you, including angry overtaking maneuvers.

Recognition often incorrect

Unfortunately, the system does not work smoothly. The seat belt warning system is no different, but it is relatively rare that a shopping bag sets off the alarm and you then have to buckle up your fruit and bread. The speed warning system works with a mixture of map material and optical signal recognition. Unfortunately, the map material is never 100 percent up to date and the recognition of speed signs is an unreliable matter. Anyone who uses this type of recognition knows that it is a warning, but you cannot trust it. Speed ​​signs are overlooked, and also the lifting of the speed limit. It is normal for the computer to believe that a “60 km/h” order on the motorway still applies kilometers beyond the construction site. Then good advice is hard to come by. Either you creep on, now with angry trucks in tow, or you take off and unleash a beeping inferno.

It doesn’t have to be quite that bad. Manufacturers have some leeway in how they implement the relevant directive. In some cars, the beeper can be switched off relatively easily for a while, in others you would have to dig through the submenus. But either way, every driver of a new car is reminded every day how Brussels wants to annoy them in their everyday lives.

Expensive assistants become mandatory

The mandatory safety features also have another effect: none of this is free. For a mid-range car or higher, there is practically no additional cost, as navigation and signal recognition are already on board. But simple, small cars would not have this. Why does a city car need something like that? Navigation is usually better with a smartphone than with the permanently installed solutions. Now you need a camera, a computer for signal recognition and navigation with the option of online updates. To put it bluntly: access to individual mobility is made as difficult as possible for the less well-off. The “intelligent speed assistant ISA” is just one part of a whole package of assistants that are now an expensive requirement. They all cost money, but in everyday life they are not as annoying as the speed beeper.