Volvo In-Car Cameras and Speed Limiting Keys add another layer of safety

Volvo are introducing in-car cameras and keys which limit top speed in an effort to get to the point of no serious injuries in a Volvo.

You have to admire Volvo’s obsession with safety in cars, but they’re not sitting on their laurels and are pushing forward with more ways to keep you safe behind the wheel.

We’ve already seen Volvo announce that the top speed in their cars will be limited to 112mph, and now they’re introducing in-car cameras and ‘speed limit keys’ to further control drivers’ behaviour.

Volvo say that intoxication and distraction are the main culprits for accidents, after excessive or inappropriate speed, so they’re going to start putting in-car cameras to monitor you and your state of health and behaviour, with the car itself intervening of you cross its thresholds.

That could mean cutting the speed at which you’re travelling, alerting Volvo On Call or even slowing down and parking the car.

Also announced is a new ‘Care Key, which will allow owners to set a top speed for their car depending on who’s driving it.

Volvo say they’re talking to insurance companies to see if they can get reduced rates for cars fitted with the new technology. Which we’re sure they will.

Speaking of the in-car cameras, Henrik Green, Volvo’s R&D Senior VP, said:

When it comes to safety, our aim is to avoid accidents altogether rather than limit the impact when an accident is imminent and unavoidable. In this case, cameras will monitor for behaviour that may lead to serious injury or death.

Some people still believe that they can drive after having had a drink, and that this will not affect their capabilities. We want to ensure that people are not put in danger as a result of intoxication.

All very noble. But very Big Brother too. Perhaps it’s all part of a grand plan to make us think autonomous cars are the only way to avoid actually jumping through electronic nannies before we’re deemed fit to drive?