A new EU driving rule will come into force for new cars made from today. It will now be mandatory for cars sold across the EU to be fitted with speed limiters.
These limiters use Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology which warns drivers to slow down by using a mix of vibrations or sounds if they go above the speed limit.
However, if the ISA warning is ignored it can automatically reduce engine power. Some speed limiters already exist on a wide range of cars, but they can be easily overridden by pressing hard on the accelerator.
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By going over the restricted speed limit for a short time, drivers are able to avoid an accident on the road. The system can also be switched off manually, however, it will automatically reactivate each time the vehicle's ignition is turned on and off.
The Department for Transport said it will not be enforcing the same mandatory regulation for cars sold in the UK this month, This is Money reports. However, similar technologies are being considered, a DfT spokesperson told The Mirror : "The government is committed to making use of new and emerging technology to help improve road safety for motorists across the nation.
"We’re currently assessing the vehicle safety technologies within the EU's General Safety Regulation, which include Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), and a decision will be taken in due course as to whether to mandate any of those in Great Britain."
The limiters will only be added to cars made in the EU from today, so does not affect those already in dealer showrooms. But, cars that don't have one fitted in already will need to get it eventually added by July 7, 2024.
According to the EU, the ISA system will help prevent 30 per cent fewer deaths in Europe.
While the new regulation is not being enforced in the UK, Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation warned The Telegraph that UK drivers could see speed limiters be attached to their vehicles relatively soon. "One of the issues about deployment of an ISA system in the UK is that we do not have an authoritative national map of the speed limits though on-car camera-based technology that scans for roadside signs can help plug the gaps," he said.
"Even if ISA is not made mandatory in the UK, given that auto companies must develop the technology to meet EU requirements, together with the demands of our domestic insurance companies and fleet buyers, means we are likely to see ISA arriving here sooner than later.”
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