As of 7 July 2024, all new cars manufactured in the EU have to be legally fitted with speed limiters. Despite the UK no longer being part of the EU, the cars that arrive on our shores still have these limiters fitted. Speed limiters are a legal requirement in the EU and Northern Ireland only.
A short history of mandatory speed limiters in cars
The introduction of mandatory speed limiters in cars is part of an effort to reduce the likelihood of traffic accidents and improve road safety. They are also designed to reduce the number of penalty points, fines and disqualifications drivers potentially face.
When drivers use a limiter and stick to the legal limit, they’ll also avoid attending a speed awareness course. Safer driving could potentially lead to savings on insurance policies, too.
What does ISA stand for?
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is a technology designed to ensure vehicles don’t exceed mandatory speed limits – potentially cutting down on the number of traffic accidents. The latest UK government statistics state that 44% of cars speed on 30mph roads* and a third of all road-related fatalities are caused by speeding.
*In 2023, under free-flowing traffic conditions, 44% of car drivers exceeded the speed limit on 30 miles per hour (mph) roads compared to 9% on national speed limit single carriageway roads and 45% on motorways.
These mandatory speed limiters rely on ISA technology in an attempt to reduce the number of road collisions. ISA works by using GPS data and traffic sign recognition cameras to determine the maximum speed on any given location. This tech then limits the power and speed of your vehicle by sending audio, visual and physical warnings.
According to the European Commission’s Road Safety Observatory statistics, speed limiter warnings can include:
- An audio or visual alert
- Upward pressure on the accelerator
- Engine power reduction
All of these can be overridden by pressing hard on the accelerator but the limiter will be reactivated every time the vehicle is started.
What are potential issues with ISA trackers?
There are a number of potential issues with speed limiters, including:
- Unreliability
- Connectivity coverage
- Signs being misinterpreted
- Signs being covered
With their reliance on tech, speed limiters can be unreliable at times and misinterpret physical signs, although this should improve as they become more commonplace. The maximum speed the software determines you should be driving at should be the legal limit, but occasionally – due to diversions or variable speed limits – it may be wrong.
However, do bear in mind that manufacturers and tech companies are constantly working and innovating to improve the reliability of speed limiters. It is still ultimately the driver’s responsibility to adhere to speed limits. Blaming the technology is not an acceptable excuse if you get caught speeding!
The UK government website states: “You must not drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle. The speed limit is the absolute maximum – it does not mean it’s safe to drive at this speed in all conditions.”
You can deactivate the limiter but not permanently disable it. It will switch back on the next time you start the car.
Are speed limiters mandatory in all cars?
Speed limiters will be present in all new cars, vans, trucks and buses manufactured in the EU, but the technology is currently not applicable to motorcycles.
Other new developments that came in with the introduction of mandatory speed limiters include data loggers, autonomous emergency braking systems, lane keep assist, driver fatigue detection systems and various other safety measures.
The most important thing is to remember to continue to drive safely and adhere to UK laws. Although the speed limiters will not be legal in the UK, they may still set off alerts and affect how you drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will speed limiters affect my car’s performance?
Although speed limiters may give you an aural or visual alert or put upward pressure on your accelerator, they should not have a negative impact on your car’s performance. They are designed to help keep cars to the speed limit and enhance road safety.
Do all cars have to have mandatory speed limiters?
Since July 2024, all cars, vans, trucks and buses manufactured in the EU will come with mandatory speed limiters. Cars in showrooms will have to have limiters installed but vehicles already on the road will not need them.
Why are mandatory speed limiters not legally required in the UK?
Mandatory speed limiters were approved by the European Union in 2019 and ratified into UK law in 2022. Despite this, they are not legally required to be used while driving on UK roads.
