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yosh

It’s not vehicle speed that kills, it’s vehicle *momentum*. A smaller car going faster may deliver less impact than a large vehicle going slower (momentum = velocity * mass).

We already have the (table stakes) technology to apply geo-fence-based speed throttling. And this should definitely take momentum into account. So if someone decides to use a 40% larger-than-average car in cities, their speed limit should be throttled to be 40% lower-than-average. Momentum-based limits!

@yosh That would solve the SUV-Problem instantly! 😉👍

@yosh isn't the formula for kinetic energy Ek = 1/2 * mass * velocity² ? So velocity has a lot more influence on the energy than mass...

@yosh momentum-based speed limits are probably the fastest way to cause the discovery of matter with negative mass!

Similarly, the fastest way to incentivize the creation of FTL communication is to only allow high-frequency trading when the computers doing the trades are on Mars.

@yosh agreed, wrote you way more than the 500 character limit on that so here’s the TLDND summary:

Drivers see their “freedom” to drive, instead of a right with responsibilities.

Drivers think of their “freedom” over common sense safety, even laws.

Drivers are still fighting seatbelt laws.

Vehicles with “generous” crash zones aren’t seen as durable instead of thinking about how safe it makes them and others.

Sincerely wishing you the best of luck in that

@yosh But on the other hand rules for these would destroy most forms for public (and communal) transport, unless you make special rules for it depending number of passengers. I think it is probably much better to do as places such as Germany and make emission limits for inner cities (though probably more aggressively)

@yosh I’ve often thought it would be a good idea to have a generalized policy of regulation based on total applied kinetic energy. More energy = more potential harm: airplanes > guns > SUVs > cars > drones > electric scooters > bicycles

@yosh@toot.yosh.is damn. I like the idea, but can’t imagine this ever gaining any, erm, momentum, in the US.

@yosh

"So if someone decides to use a 40% larger-than-average car in cities, their speed limit should be throttled to be 40% lower-than-average. Momentum-based limits!"

But that means everyone around them is throttled to 40% lower speed limit. Best just to keep them off the road in the first place.

@yosh That is actually a pretty darn awesome idea! Make wasteful and dangerous driving pay double by taxing and speed-throttling! 👍