A new geo-fenced speed limiter has been launched that will automatically reduce the speed of vehicles within a designated zone to help prevent injuries to pedestrians.
Oldham-based AutoKontrol has developed its new Geokontrol speed limiter to cut vehicle speed to as low as 6mph in geo-fenced zones.
Geo-fencing works by using GPS signalling to virtually define a geographical area, which AutoKontrol said can be as small as an individual distribution centre or as large as a council-run refuse site or even a town centre.
On entering a geo-fenced site, the Geokontrol speed-limiter-equipped vehicle instantly has its speed reduced to the site limit, which reverts immediately back to normal road-legal speeds once it has left the area again.
The geo-fencing can be extended to cover any number of locations and in all cases will transfer the responsibility for speed control from the driver to the unit.
One-off retrofit prices start at £360, with no monthly fee. The company said it is suitable for any diesel vehicle/wheeled plant with an electronic throttle and can be fitted on customers’ premises by its team of nationwide engeneers. It also comes with a three-year warranty.
AutoKontrol said the speed limiter can play a key role in meeting an employers’ Duty of Care towards their employees, a major role in meeting on-site health and safety requirements and a reduction in injury claims.
Stuart Gray, AutoKontrol sales director, said: “Low speed limits are becoming very common in areas designated as ‘high risk’ often because vehicles are in close proximity to pedestrians and speeding vehicles are considered to be a major contributor to accidents.”
He added: “Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 managers must ensure the health and safety of all employees at work and others are not put at risk by work-related driving activities. The new AutoKontrol geo-fenced speed limiter is tamper-proof, sealed and approved to DfT and EU standard.”
The company said one further benefit is a reduction in vehicle maintenance/repair costs as a result of cutting excessive vehicle speed over rough ground in landfill or quarry sites.
