Starting in July 2024, all newly sold vehicles in the European Union, including Northern Ireland but excluding Great Britain, will be equipped with mandatory speed limiters.
This major change aims to improve road safety and ensure drivers comply with speed limits. Let’s explore the implications for drivers, the technology behind speed limiters, and the anticipated impact on road safety.
The New Regulation and Its Reach
As of July 7, 2024, the European Union requires that all new vehicles come equipped with an Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) system.
This regulation is part of the 2019/2044 directive issued by the European Commission, which reinforced a previous mandate from July 2022 that required speed limiters on new vehicle models.
Notably, while Northern Ireland will follow these regulations, Great Britain has decided not to implement them.
However, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) continues to explore new technologies aimed at improving safety and lowering emissions.
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What is a Speed Limiter?
A speed limiter is a device designed to prevent a vehicle from surpassing a predetermined speed.
Unlike cruise control, which maintains a constant speed, a speed limiter allows for normal acceleration and deceleration but limits the maximum speed a car can reach.
Its purpose is to act as a speed warning system, rather than a tool to help with long-distance driving.
How Do Speed Limiters Work?
The ISA technology uses GPS data and traffic sign recognition cameras to detect the speed limit in a particular area. If a driver exceeds this limit, the system reduces the engine’s power to slow the vehicle down.
Drivers receive haptic, auditory, and visual alerts if they continue speeding. Although it is possible to temporarily override the limiter by pressing the accelerator more firmly, the system will reactivate every time the car is restarted.
Several manufacturers, such as Citroen, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo, have already integrated factory-installed ISAs. For instance, Renault has taken an additional step by limiting the top speed of all new models to 112 mph.
Concerns and Challenges
Despite the potential safety benefits, there are several concerns regarding the implementation and effectiveness of speed limiters:
- Driver Annoyance: The combination of various warning signals (audio, visual, and haptic) may become distracting or irritating to drivers.
- Technology Limitations: Forward-facing cameras and traffic-sign recognition systems may occasionally struggle to accurately identify speed limits due to obstructed signs or constantly changing speed zones.
- Reliability Issues: There have been instances where sat-nav errors resulted in incorrect speed limits being applied, raising concerns about the system’s reliability.
To address these challenges, the European Commission will assess the effectiveness of the system in December 2025. The evaluation will utilize anonymous data to help refine the system.
Can You Remove a Speed Limiter?
While the regulation allows drivers to disable the ISA, the system will automatically reactivate every time the car is restarted.
Removing the limiter to achieve higher speeds or improve fuel efficiency is not encouraged, as exceeding legal speed limits remains both unsafe and illegal.
Road Safety Benefits
The primary aim of implementing mandatory speed limiters is to reduce road accidents. According to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), these devices could reduce collisions by up to 30%.
Additionally, the European Commission believes that the technology could prevent as many as 140,000 serious injuries by 2038, with a goal of achieving zero road deaths by 2050.
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Additional Safety Measures
Alongside the mandatory speed limiters, the new EU regulations introduce several other safety features, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Data loggers (black box technology)
- Emergency stop signals
- Driver fatigue detection systems
- Lane-keeping assistance
- Built-in breathalyzers
- Reversing sensors or cameras
These features are already standard in many new vehicles, contributing to better safety ratings and overall road safety.
As the implementation date approaches, it is clear that the mandatory speed limiters represent a significant shift towards improving road safety in the EU.
While Great Britain has chosen not to adopt these regulations, Northern Ireland’s compliance highlights the differing approaches within the UK.
Drivers should remain informed about these changes and understand the underlying technology to ensure a smoother transition.
Stay safe on the roads, and remember that following speed limits not only protects you but also ensures the safety of everyone around you.