Two years ago, on 6th July 2022, it became a legal requirement in the EU European Union (EU) for car manufacturers to fit new cars with intelligent speed assistance (ISA) speed limiter technology.
Now, as of 7th July 2024, manufacturers must make sure that all cars on sale have this technology fitted, regardless of when they were first launched – meaning those existing unregistered cars on forecourts need to have it retrofitted before they can be sold.
But how will this affect UK drivers? The Department of Transport confirmed the new law applies to Northern Ireland, but it wouldn’t be mandated in England, Scotland or Wales. However, it’s unlikely that manufacturers will create ISA-free variants, so they’re still very likely to affect those on UK roads.
What is a speed limiter?
A speed limiter is a safety device which acts as a speed warning system. It can be fitted in your car and ensures your vehicle doesn’t cross a certain speed.
So, for example, while cruise control allows you to maintain a consistent speed so you don’t need to constantly use the accelerator, a speed limiter allows you to accelerate and decelerate as you normally would, but without broaching the speed limit.
Why has the EU brought speed limiters in?
It’s all about safety. The change is based on recommendations from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), which has said the move will reduce collisions by 30% and road deaths by 20%. Meanwhile, the European Commission has stated the speed limiters (along with other measures included in the legislation) could prevent 140,000 serious road traffic injuries by 2038. Overall, it hopes to cut road deaths to zero by 2050.
Do the speed limiter laws affect the UK?
The UK is no longer in the EU, but the law will still be mandated in Northern Ireland. It’s therefore not a legal requirement for new cars sold in England, Scotland or Wales, but as mentioned above – it’s unlikely that manufacturers will make ISA-free models so this technology will still be present in new cars.
How do speed limiters work?
Speed limiters work by using a combination of GPS and cameras that are used to recognise speed signs. They use this information to either limit your speed or give you a visual or audible warning when you go over the limit.
There are various types of intelligence speed assistance systems – they might give you a sound or vibration warning or even make it harder for you to push down on the accelerator. However, the most advanced systems will reduce the engine power if you’re speeding to ensure a gradual speed reduction (without needing to brake).
Whatever the system, the new law states that it must activate automatically whenever you start your car and it can’t be permanently deactivated.
Can I deactivate or remove a speed limiter?
You can override a speed limiter by pushing down on the throttle, but the technology will reactivate when you restart your car.
It’s always important to remember that it is illegal to exceed the speed limit and you run the risk of incurring a penalty if you do so. However, it may be appropriate to override the technology if it has misread the speed limit.
What are the concerns related to the speed limiters?
There are some concerns surrounding the technology – for example, whether it is sophisticated or advanced enough to work effectively. Sometimes traffic recognition technology can miss speed changes, particularly if road signs are obscured or the speed limit is not signposted. Similarly, some have questioned the accuracy of the systems too – referring to instances when the sat nav system has incorrectly assumed the driver has left a motorway or read the speed limit of a nearby road instead, and therefore signalled them to reduce their speed.
The European Commission has, however, clearly stated that, “the driver is always responsible for adhering to the relevant traffic rules and that the ISA system is a best-effort driver assistance system to alert the driver, whenever possible and appropriate”.
How has the motor industry reacted?
Intelligence speed assistance systems are already present in most new cars, from manufacturers such as Citroen, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Peugeot, Renault and Volvo. Renault has gone one step further by confirming that all Renault and Dacia models will have a top-speed limit of 112mph. Meanwhile, the likes of Vauxhaull and Kia have confirmed that all their cars sold in the UK will comply with the EU law.
Discussing how the law won’t apply in the UK, Mike Hawes, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), told Which: “The UK has some of the safest roads in the world, but action to improve our record still further should be welcomed. Bearing in mind the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory divergence is not advantageous for either party.”
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