Speed-limiting devices called intelligent speed adaption (ISA) should be fitted to cars on a voluntary basis to help save lives and cut carbon emissions we were told today (30th December 2008). A panel from the Commission for Integrated Transport and the Motorists' Forum, both of which advise the Government on transport, explained that adding the technology to vehicles would cut injuries from road accidents by 29 per cent. The study also looked at how the devices would help fuel consumption, emissions, noise and ease traffic on the roads.
The report follows lengthy trials backed the Department for Transport, which has been in talks with the motor industry over how the devices could be made available. Government transport advisers want voluntary speed-limiting devices fitted to cars to help save lives and cut emissions.
The device then uses satellite positioning to check if a vehicle is breaking the speed limit and will automatically slow a car down and apply the brakes if necessary. John Lewis, who chaired the panel, said: "You can override the device that we're talking about, either by pressing a button on the steering wheel or by kicking down the accelerator as you would on an automatic car.
From an environmental perspective, the report found that on 70mph roads, keeping to the speed limit could lead to savings of up to 6 per cent in CO2 emissions which would be a great help towards the Governments carbon footprint cutting targets.
However, critics have warned that a similar, existing system for truck drivers showed that the devices could cause drivers to not give driving their full attention.
In a report published in September 2007, only two percent of road accidents were caused by adult drivers exceeding the posted speed limit, according to the UK Department for Transport (DfT) The DfT based its analysis on 147,509 accidents ranging in severity from slight to fatal. So would a Speed-limiting device really have much of an impact on road traffic accident figures?
Volvo has fitted a 'City Safe' feature in their new XC60. This safety device was developed because rear-end collisions make up 29 per cent of all reported car accidents. This safety feature is designed to work at slow speeds (20 mph and below), they types of speeds that you might be travelling at in a city or town centre.
Is this latest idea just another gimmick from the Nanny State? Shouldn't we all just be using our own common sense, and obey the already existing laws that ensure everyone's safety? And wont car manufacturers think that speed-limiting devices fitted in their vehicles will make their cars less desirable?
The housing market slump continues to dominate the gloom in the economic outlook of many investors, resulting to more difficulties in selling homes or real estates. However, when buying your new home, like those in Tampa FL real estate, there are certainly more than one ways to look for real bargains and savings. The question is, are you informed of these ?hidden incentives? so that you can avoid hurting your pocket?
For one, home builder close-outs are one of the best places to strike a good deal when buying a new home. These properties are those that the builders are not having so much success in selling. Builder close-outs often happen during the end of the project, or the last few homes may become instant bargains since the builder has already earned from the sale of the other homes. You will therefore also have to accept whatever is left in terms of location. However, even at a bargain, if the homes around you have higher values, the market value of your home may also rise with them and it may still turn out to be a very good deal.
Moreover, there are also homes called inventory homes. These homes are new homes that are ready for purchase. If an inventory home has still not been sold during a certain time period, it is the builder who will carry the cost of the home, such as basic maintenance, and of course, investment that has not been liquidated. Builders will be more than willing to give discounts or include more benefits for the buyer in order to quickly close the deal with you as soon as possible.
The last ?hidden incentive? is the Realtor commission bonus, which is the amount on top of the real agent's fee for their full range of service. In addition to the basic commission for selling the house, marketing, and doing all the negotiations with the buyers, home builders will sometimes give the real estate agent a bonus. The amount can range from $500 to even $50,000 for one sale. We at eTampaRealEstate.com willingly split that with you, and this means giving this bonus to you as a discount!
Because many of these incentives are not known by the public, you should contact your trusted Tampa real estate agent if you want to purchase a new home, one that will give you full representation on the deal.
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Both Susan Roberts & Robert Thomson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Susan Roberts has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Cars and Cars. Current Motoring affairs brought to you from http://www.motorparks.co.uk/ Visit. Susan Roberts's top article generates over 5400 views. Bookmark Susan Roberts to your Favourites.
Robert Thomson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop, Finances and Pets. Marc Vitorillo is the Broker/Owner of Schaaf and Vitorillo Realty. He has been featured on HGTV as a Tampa Real Estate Expert and named as one of the Top 50 Real Est. Robert Thomson's top article generates over 450000 views. Bookmark Robert Thomson to your Favourites.