The numbers involving accidents or deaths caused by speeding trucks and buses are just too many to ignore. Just the other day, a 17-car pile up along C5 was caused by a speeding cargo truck, which killed and injured scores of people. A few weeks ago in Cainta, Rizal, a speeding cargo truck plowed into a crowded and busy intersection killing at least two persons and injuring dozens more. A month before that incident, a bus ferrying students to a campsite in Tanay, Rizal also had an accident due to uncontrolled speed and brake loss that catastrophically resulted in the deaths of 15 students. These are just examples of critical accidents caused by speeding trucks and buses which contribute to 365 road accidents per year. The Philippine National Police also reported that there are 10 bus accidents in Metro Manila alone. Majority of which were caused by speed or failure of the braking system, because 95 percent of trucks and buses plying the streets of Metro Manila are surplus/reconditioned vehicles which are at least 20 to 30 years old.
Relative to this problem, the Government has enacted into law R.A. No. 10916 requiring the mandatory installation of speed limiters in public utility and certain types of vehicles, otherwise known as the “Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016”. Despite the presence of the law, implementation seems to have hit a speed bump. Under Section 3 of R.A. No. 10916, vehicles to covered and should be equipped with speed limiters are closed vans, covered vehicles, hauler/cargo trailers, and shuttle services such as the UV Express vans we see on the road.
Pioneer Truck Parts and Equipment Corporation, local distributors of Autokontrol is a company on a mission of safety. Their product is a device that electronically controls the top speed of vehicles, either to comply with government legislation or the vehicle owner’s requirements without affecting any other aspect of the vehicle’s operation. “Aside from reducing road accidents due to controlling of the vehicle’s speed, Autokontrol also helps improve fuel consumption and emissions,” explains Benedict Go of Pioneer. The device works by way of controlling the fuel flow system (for vehicles without engine managements) or by a drive by wire system. “The ECU is connected to a speed signal (electronic speedometer, ABS or mechanical sensor) and receives frequency signals while the vehicle is moving. At a pre set frequency, say 80kph, the ECU transmits a signal to the engine management system which then holds the vehicle’s speed. The operator/owner can pre set the maximum speed of the truck or van as he wishes,” explains Go.
Aside from preserving the vehicle’s engine because of rev and speed control, the Autokontrol speed limiter will stop erring drivers from over revving and immediately equate to cutting down on fuel costs. This rev control system ensures to correct driver behavior and driving style which is crucial in an urban environment. “Our objective is for all fleet owners to extend vehicle life, improve economy, reduce maintenance costs and promote public commuter safety,” adds Go.
Autokontrol is a Romatic Speed Control System designed and developed since 1980 and currently used in Europe, Middle East and Asia as a standard equipment for truck, bus and commercial vehicle fleet operations. The system have received numerous approvals from truck manufacturing such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Mercedes Benz, Isuzu, Leyland, DAF, GM General Motors, Peugeot, Renault, FUSO, Land Rover, ERF, and approval from the British Ministry of Defence for Land Rover and Pinzgauer Vehicles.
