Almost one year ago, the European Union’s long-anticipated speed limiter rule came into force with legislation forcing brand new cars to have the tools installed. From July 7, 2024, all car manufacturers have been legally required to ensure cars on sale in their showrooms have speed limiters fitted.
Despite leaving the EU, the UK kept the policy in place with WeBuyAnyCar admitting the rule has been ratified in UK law. Even before the policy, Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) tech has been on the rise in the UK as firms continue to innovate their safety features. Speeding is one of the biggest killers on UK roads with technology now in place to save motorists from themselves.
Rules state that firms must have one of three types of ISA technology installed in brand new cars with the tools ranging in how much they interfere with the driver.
The least influential is the advisory ISA system which simply alerts the driver about the current speed limit and when they exceed it.
Next is the more supportive ISA which provides increased resistance on the throttle pedal when a speed limit has been broken.
Finally, is the intervening mandatory ISA with the system automatically reducing engine power to slow down vehicles.
When I tested a new electric car in the summer of 2024, I got a proper hands on look at the first of these systems.
Audio and visual warnings are the least invasive of the three tools and I found the small updates actually rather helpful.
ISA technology claims to use GPS and radar technology to determine local speed limits with the information then quickly fed back to the dashboard.
This appeared to be a major help when I was tackling roads unfamiliar to me, with speed limit signs appearing on the centre of the console making sure I didn’t exceed the threshold.
However, I felt a pang in my stomach when I got closer to home as I quickly realised the ISA fitted in my car wasn’t picking up the actual speed limits!
This was especially the case when driving around housing estates where locally enforced speed restrictions are imposed.
I was worried when the ISA said I could accelerate up to 30mph around my street which I know to be a 20mph zone.
It means ISA technology is still lacking in perhaps the most important aspect of the technology, making sure speeds are actually accurate.
Could it have shocking consequences for drivers, and more importantly, pedestrians who are relying on the tools to keep them safe?