New UK Law: Speed Limiters Mandatory for All New Cars from July 2024

Speed Limiters: Mandatory for All New Cars in the UK from July 2024

Starting from 7 July 2024, a new regulation will come into effect in the UK requiring all new cars to be fitted with speed limiters. This mandate aligns with the European Commission's 2019/2044 regulation, which also applies to the European market despite Brexit. Here's what you need to know about this significant change.

The UK Adopts Speed Limiting Rules

Although the UK has left the EU, it has retained many of the EU’s car regulations to ensure consistency in manufacturing and safety standards. As a result, all new cars sold in the UK from July 2024 must feature Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) systems. This includes new cars launching or already launched in the European market, and any existing unregistered vehicles will need to be retrofitted with speed limiters before they can be sold.

What is a Speed Limiter?

A speed limiter is a device that prevents a vehicle from exceeding a pre-set speed. Unlike cruise control, which maintains a constant speed, a speed limiter allows the driver to accelerate and decelerate normally but restricts the vehicle from surpassing the set speed limit. This device acts as a speed warning system rather than a fatigue-prevention tool like cruise control.

How Do Speed Limiters Work?

Speed limiters use GPS data and traffic-sign recognition cameras to determine the speed limit of the area you are driving in. The ISA then limits the engine's power to ensure the vehicle does not exceed this speed. The system provides haptic, audio, and visual warnings if the driver approaches or exceeds the speed limit. Drivers can override the system by pressing hard on the accelerator, but the ISA will reactivate each time the car is started.

Manufacturers Implementing ISA

Several car manufacturers have already started integrating ISA technology into their vehicles. Brands such as Citroën, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo are leading the way. Notably, the Renault Group has limited the top speed of all new Renault and Citroën cars to 112 mph to enhance safety further. By July 2024, all new cars, vans, trucks, and buses will need to be equipped with ISA, although motorcycles are currently exempt due to technological limitations.

Concerns and Challenges

While the implementation of speed limiters aims to enhance road safety, there are concerns regarding their effectiveness and potential annoyance. Drivers have reported issues such as false speed readings and incorrect speed adjustments due to GPS errors or obscured traffic signs. Additionally, the various warning signals designed to alert drivers when speeding can be irritating.

To address these issues, manufacturers have four options for warning drivers:

1. A gentle push back on the accelerator.

2. Automatic reduction of propulsion power, which can be overridden by the driver.

3. Visual and audio signals that escalate if ignored.

4. Visual signals followed by pedal vibration, escalating if ignored.

The effectiveness of these methods will be assessed in December 2025 using anonymous data on system usage and override frequencies.

Impact on Road Safety

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) predicts that mandatory speed limiters could reduce collisions by 30%. The European Commission aims to prevent 140,000 serious injuries by 2038 with these measures and ultimately achieve zero road deaths by 2050. In the UK, adherence to speed limits is crucial, with national limits set at 70 mph on motorways and 30 mph in built-up areas. In 2022, road collisions resulted in 1,711 fatalities and 29,742 serious injuries.

Additional Safety Measures

The new EU regulations also mandate other safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, data loggers (black boxes), emergency stop signals, driver fatigue detection, lane-keeping assist, built-in breathalysers, and reversing sensors or cameras. Many of these technologies are already standard in cars sold in the UK.

Conclusion

The introduction of speed limiters in all new cars from July 2024 marks a significant step towards enhancing road safety in the UK. While there are some concerns and challenges, the overall aim is to reduce accidents and save lives. Drivers will remain responsible for adhering to speed limits, with the ISA acting as an additional safety measure to prevent inadvertent speeding.

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