Mandatory speed limiters are set to become a standard feature on all new cars in the UK starting in July of this year. This technology, known as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), will utilize GPS data and traffic sign recognition cameras to determine the speed limit of the road a vehicle is on and adjust the engine power accordingly to prevent the car from exceeding the speed limit. While drivers will have the option to override the system for their current journey by pushing hard on the throttle, the system will automatically re-engage each time the car is started.
This new safety feature is part of a larger General Safety Regulation proposed by the European Commission and approved by the European Parliament in 2019. Despite the UK’s exit from the EU, it has been confirmed that the UK will still implement this technology. The aim of these speed limiters, along with other safety measures such as data loggers, autonomous emergency braking systems, and lane keep assist, is to reduce traffic collisions and save lives. According to the European Transport and Safety Council, these limiters are expected to reduce collisions by 30% and save 25,000 lives within 15 years of their introduction.
All new cars sold in the UK from July 7, 2024, will be required to have these speed limiters installed. Even unsold cars sitting in showrooms will need to be retrofitted with this technology after that date. The Department for Transport has stated that the limiters will primarily provide feedback to drivers when the speed limit is exceeded, rather than immediately limiting the speed by reducing engine power as previously thought.
Despite the initial inclusion of an on/off switch for the system to aid public acceptance, there is a possibility that stricter rules may be implemented in the future, making the system permanent. The European Transport and Safety Council emphasizes the importance of these safety measures in curbing the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads. This move towards increased safety technology in vehicles is seen as a positive step towards creating safer road environments for everyone.