Melbourne, Australia — On March 10th 2016, ‘Tagico’ launched a Kickstarter campaign for the ALS (acceleration limiting & smoothing) device; a retrofittable safety device that that fits under the acceleration pedal of any car.

Almost 1.3 million people are killed every year due to auto crashes around the world with speed and distracted drivers factoring almost 38% of fatality crashes. The ALS is a simple, yet effective solution to a problem that currently kills thousands of people each year. By preventing unintentional “full-throttle” pedal action, the ALS stops unsafe situations before they even start.

“The moment the ALS detects a sudden, major depression on the accelerator, it closes off the pedal action, rendering further acceleration impossible” says Alvin, the products lead developer. The ALS stays engaged until the accelerator is fully released from any pressure; the pedal will then resume normal function.

Most sudden-acceleration accidents happen when the driver mistakes the gas pedal for the brakes in a low speed maneuver situation or when pedal confusion occurs. As the vehicle increases in speed, the driver panics and presses even harder on what they think is the brake pedal. This is a common occurrence with elderly or distracted drivers, resulting in cars launching into shops and restaurants when they are attempting to park, and in some cases, this mistake can be fatal. The ALS device would stop acceleration as the driver “floors” it, then when the driver realizes their mistake [by an audible warning signal] they then can release their right foot pressure.

This would also prevent collisions that occur from reckless driving, such as performing street races and displays of power involving burnouts and “donuts”. More than half of all traffic deaths occur in young adults, with many under the age of 21. The ALS will give parents peace-of-mind by knowing their children are safe from the dangers of showing off in a vehicle.

Another facet for this device is in the instruction of new drivers. Learning to operate a motor vehicle for the first time can be a daunting task for many young people. With the ALS installed to “dampen” acceleration, a smoother driving experience will be created for the next generation behind the wheel.

“We developed the ALS to be affordable, easy to understand, and quick to install” says Alvin. “We were able to keep the price-per-unit to under $100”.

Several prototypes have received a positive response from the drivers who have been testing them out. Already, members of law enforcement have begun using the ALS to understand the life-saving abilities it provides to each vehicle.

“Our goal is to raise a total of $14,700 AUD by April, on the crowdfunding platform, ‘Kickstarter’. This will allow us to develop and mass-produce the ALS device by July to the general public”. For a pledge of only $30 AUD ($22 USD), you will receive your very own ALS device as early as June.

For more information, please visit the Kickstarter page or contact the creator below.

Contact Information

Creator: Alvin Clausen
Media Contact: jake@backertree.com
Kickstarter Campaign: www.kickstarter.com