In an effort to improve road safety in Europe, speed limiting software known as the Intelligent Speed Assistance system (ISA), is due to be rolled out as mandatory for all new car sales starting in 2022.
However, there are naturally a lot of questions around what exactly these mandatory speed limiters mean for UK drivers. Let’s take a look at the most common queries.
What is a speed limiter?
A speed limiter is a type of safety device which physically stops a driver from going above faster the prescribed speed limit. It’s not the same as cruise control though, (so it’s important not confuse the two) as a cruise control function will only help driver maintain a consistent speed on longer journeys, rather than setting a speed limiting cap.
How do speed limiters work?
The ISA systems use either video or a GPS-linked system to detect the speed signs on each road.
The tech will register the speed limit and alert the driver if they go above it, and the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) state that “if the driver continues to drive above the speed limit for several seconds, the system should sound a warning for a few seconds and display a visual warning until the vehicle is operating at or below the speed limit again.”
But, if the driver doesn’t slow down and ignores the alerts, then the speed limiter will reduce the engine’s power, forcing the car to naturally slow down to the correct, legal limit.
Why are speed limiters being introduced as mandatory?
Recent data from the ETSC highlights that out of the 26,000 road deaths that happen in Europe every year, speeding is one of the key factors. As a result, the introduction of mandatory speed limiters is an attempt to help reduce the number of road traffic fatalities, with the ETSC predicting that collisions will reduce by 30% and prevent 140,000 serious road traffic injuries by 2038.
The European Commission also anticipates that the use of ISA technology could help to prevent 140,000 serious road traffic injuries by 2038, as well as contributing to the 2050 goal to bring road deaths down to zero.
Are speed limiters going to be mandatory for the UK?
Yes. Despite the UK leaving the EU, an ISA will be mandatory in all new cars sold in the UK starting in 2022. This is because the Vehicle Certification Agency will continue to follow EU regulations, and this will be applicable for all EU-based vehicle manufacturers.
Will the mandatory speed limiter stop speeding penalties?
No. Even with a speed limiter device, the driver will always be ultimately responsible for the speed they choose to drive at.
This is because speed limiters are there to assist drivers, not to take full control of the vehicle. So even with a device fitted as mandatory, drivers are not guaranteed to escape speeding penalties if they choose to exceed the legal limits set by the Highways Agency.
Do speed limiters need to be retrofitted?
Some car manufacturers such as Ford, Jaguar, Honda, Renault, and Volvo, may have incorporating factory-fitted ISA technology in some of their vehicles already. But otherwise, no. At the moment the rules only apply to newly manufactured cars, so drivers don’t need to retrofit anything to their current vehicles.
Can speed limiters be switched off?
Under the current regulations, yes, speed limiters can be switched off or overridden, but they can’t be permanently disabled. The next time an engine is switched on, the speed limiter will be switched back on again too.
By default, best practice is to always leave a speed limiter device switched on, no matter what. The hope with this is that more motorists will take advantage of the technology and road safety will improve. However, there will be some occasions where a driver may choose to switch it off manually or risk the alert. For example, when overtaking on a motorway.
But it’s always important to remember why they’re being made mandatory in the first place – because driving over the speed limit is both illegal and dangerous. So much so, that it’s also possible that the authorities might scrap the option of turning it off in the future.
How will mandatory speed limiters impact vehicle insurance?
With the ETSC predicting that collisions will reduce by 30%, then as well as making the roads safer, this should result in fewer car insurance claims.
As a result, fewer claims could mean that premiums fall, as insurers base their premiums on risk. If there’s a lower risk of a claim, the cost of insuring your car could be reduced.
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