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Speed limiters: what are the new rules and what do they mean for UK cars?

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Speed limiters: what are the new rules and what do they mean for UK cars? | Top Gear

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All you need to know about this next phase of EU legislation for motorists

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Speed limiters: what are the new rules and what do they mean for UK cars?

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
All you need to know about this next phase of EU legislation for motorists

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Speed limiters: what are the new rules and what do they mean for UK cars?

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
All you need to know about this next phase of EU legislation for motorists

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Speed limiters: what are the new rules and what do they mean for UK cars?

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
Speed limiters: what are the new rules and what do they mean for UK cars?

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
All you need to know about this next phase of EU legislation for motorists

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As of 7 July, all new cars in Europe need to be fitted with new safety technology. Emergency lane-keeping (ELK), driver drowsiness and inattention (DDAW), intelligent speed assist (ISA) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are now required as standard.

However, where in 2022 the speed-limiting tech just had to sing a song or flash some numbers on the driver display if you were excessively fast, now the cars are required to slow themselves to not exceed the legally required limit.

So many questions. Let’s start with the big one: how does it work?

Mainly, radars, cameras and other sensors. The one we know you're most fussed about is the speed limiter. That ISA tech uses traffic sign recognition and GPS to let drivers know what the speed limit of the road they’re driving on is. And then if the driver fails to manually manage the car’s speed, the computer electronically manages a decrease to the appropriate limit.

Ok, but my AEB sensors misjudge wide open, obstacle-free spaces all the time, and regularly try to give me whiplash.

Right, but studies show that despite tech glitches (we acknowledge are a thing), AEB reduces rear end collisions by 50 per cent, and collisions with pedestrians by 30 per cent.

The argument for speed limiters is hugely compelling, too. Over 26,000 people are killed every year in accidents where speed is a factor.

However, there are a number of factors that make this technology harder to deploy in the UK. Roadworks, sign misinterpretation and er, the issues with, er, trees and bushes.

Yes! The verdant roadside and lack of cleaning means we can’t even see some of our road signs properly. What’s a camera going to do?

Somewhat ironically, it’s not clear. And technically, it’s not yet our concern as this requirement isn’t actually mandatory in the UK. The ISA and AEB requirements have been integrated into New Vehicle General Safety Regulations 2 (GSR2) provision. The thing is, the UK – with the exclusion of Northern Ireland – isn’t signed up to the GSR2.

However, it’s likely carmakers will include any EU-compliant software in cars sold across the UK, because it would be too expensive to do otherwise, right?

Is there a way of disabling the speed limiter?

There’ll be a way of turning off the ISA system but there are two things to note: a) it’s not likely to be an easy find (potentially buried in a programming nest of infotainment options and b) it’s not going to permanently turn it off. You’ll have to disable it every time you get behind the wheel.

Is this required on all cars, or just new ones?

It’s been required on all new models since 2022. But any new cars – i.e. those built between 7 July 2022 and 7 July 2024 – without the tech will require a retrofitted solution. Any used vehicles will predate 6 July 2022 and thus, won’t need anything added.

Anything else I should know?

Inclusion of ADAS features is now a parameter for insurers to make your policy cheaper, whether it’s engaged or disabled.

Also, come July 2026, the regs will extend to include advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) and pedestrian and cyclist AEB, so if you’re on the hunt for your next new model, you might want to consider splurging for any tech add-on now.

# data.attributes.body.processed
As of 7 July, all new cars in Europe need to be fitted with new safety technology. Emergency lane-keeping (ELK), driver drowsiness and inattention (DDAW), intelligent speed assist (ISA) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are now required as standard.

However, where in 2022 the speed-limiting tech just had to sing a song or flash some numbers on the driver display if you were excessively fast, now the cars are required to slow themselves to not exceed the legally required limit.

So many questions. Let’s start with the big one: how does it work?

Mainly, radars, cameras and other sensors. The one we know you're most fussed about is the speed limiter. That ISA tech uses traffic sign recognition and GPS to let drivers know what the speed limit of the road they’re driving on is. And then if the driver fails to manually manage the car’s speed, the computer electronically manages a decrease to the appropriate limit.

Ok, but my AEB sensors misjudge wide open, obstacle-free spaces all the time, and regularly try to give me whiplash.

Right, but studies show that despite tech glitches (we acknowledge are a thing), AEB reduces rear end collisions by 50 per cent, and collisions with pedestrians by 30 per cent.

The argument for speed limiters is hugely compelling, too. Over 26,000 people are killed every year in accidents where speed is a factor.

However, there are a number of factors that make this technology harder to deploy in the UK. Roadworks, sign misinterpretation and er, the issues with, er, trees and bushes.

Yes! The verdant roadside and lack of cleaning means we can’t even see some of our road signs properly. What’s a camera going to do?

Somewhat ironically, it’s not clear. And technically, it’s not yet our concern as this requirement isn’t actually mandatory in the UK. The ISA and AEB requirements have been integrated into New Vehicle General Safety Regulations 2 (GSR2) provision. The thing is, the UK – with the exclusion of Northern Ireland – isn’t signed up to the GSR2.

However, it’s likely carmakers will include any EU-compliant software in cars sold across the UK, because it would be too expensive to do otherwise, right?

Is there a way of disabling the speed limiter?

There’ll be a way of turning off the ISA system but there are two things to note: a) it’s not likely to be an easy find (potentially buried in a programming nest of infotainment options and b) it’s not going to permanently turn it off. You’ll have to disable it every time you get behind the wheel.

Is this required on all cars, or just new ones?

It’s been required on all new models since 2022. But any new cars – i.e. those built between 7 July 2022 and 7 July 2024 – without the tech will require a retrofitted solution. Any used vehicles will predate 6 July 2022 and thus, won’t need anything added.

Anything else I should know?

Inclusion of ADAS features is now a parameter for insurers to make your policy cheaper, whether it’s engaged or disabled.

Also, come July 2026, the regs will extend to include advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) and pedestrian and cyclist AEB, so if you’re on the hunt for your next new model, you might want to consider splurging for any tech add-on now.

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All you need to know about this next phase of EU legislation for motorists