New EU rules on car speed limiters coming into force
New European Union rules mandating that speed-limiting systems be fitted to new cars, vans and lorries come into force on Wednesday.
The requirement for newly launched models to have Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology is part of a package of measures aimed at boosting road safety in the bloc.
Drivers are alerted when their vehicle exceeds the maximum permitted speed such as through audible or vibrating warnings, or by the accelerator pedal gently pushing their foot back.
Other measures in the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR) include driver drowsiness warnings, emergency stop signals, accurate tyre pressure monitoring and event data recorders.
Road traffic lawyer Nick Freeman, known as Mr Loophole for winning celebrities’ cases on legal technicalities, predicted that speed limiters will be introduced in the UK over the next two years.
He described them as “incredibly dangerous” and “a needless distraction”, as there are “always circumstances where you need to briefly accelerate”.
