Memorandum from Matt Allen (RS 78)
I am an individual writing to you in your capacity
as members of the UK Parliament Transport Committee, because I
have some ideas relevant to Points 2-4, 6 and 7 of the Terms of
reference of your recent enquiry into road safety.
SUGGESTION NO
1
Given that poor eyesight is a significant problem
amongst UK drivers, which leads to accidents and reduction in
national GDP as a consequence of traffic delays, I have invented
and developed the SAFEDRIVE eyesight testing assembly, which permits
drivers to self-test their eyesight at the side of the road to
check if it meets legislative requirements. The testing assembly
can also be used at DVLA driver testing centres instead of the
existing manual, inherently subjective, eyesight checking procedures.
There follows a link to a four-minute animation
of the SAFEDRIVE eyesight testing assembly for your viewing.
http://cid-776e8f241546550e.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/SAFEDRIVE/Safedrive%2030MB.avi
Please note, as illustrated towards the end
of the animation, the possibility of using such a testing assembly
to test driver tiredness, driver intoxication, vehicle tax, vehicle
insurance, vehicle emissions, vehicle road worthiness, all simply
by adding the appropriate testing modules to the testing assembly.
SUGGESTION NO
2
An "outside-the-car" system of calculating
how long a vehicle has been in continuous use (aimed at preventing
driver fatigue).
METHOD 1
Sensors (cameras) can be arranged at various
points of the motorway network (eg along the route North from
Dover, on the M20, the M25 and the M1). The distance between the
sensors would be fixed and known. A vehicle speed of between 65-75
mph can be assumed. Using the formula Speed=Distance/Time, a journey
time can be estimated. If sensed vehicles exceed a journey time
of 2 hours they can be notified using overhead gantry or in-car
devices. This can prevent certain vehicles from driving for a
dangerous length of time.
METHOD 2
Alternatively, the sensor could be a vehicle
GPS device. This method would require the cooperation of a vehicle
manufacturer. When the vehicle key ignition is turned on, the
GPS clock in the vehicle begins running, and runs until the ignition
key returns to the off position. Once 2 hours journey time is
exceeded, the GPS signals a third party such as the Police, and
the Police reply with a signal notifying the vehicle (eg by an
overhead gantry, although possibly direct to an in-car device
when technology permits it) to stop so that the driver can take
a break.
I believe these ideas can improve road safety
in the UK and I hope we have the opportunity to discuss these
matters further in the near future.
May 2008
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