From 7 July, all new cars sold in the European Union and Northern Ireland must be fitted with intelligent speed assistance (ISA) as standard. The technology uses satnav and forward-facing cameras to detect speed limits and automatically alerts drivers if they exceed them. While the rest of the UK is not legally required to adopt the measure, the integrated nature of car manufacturing means new vehicles across Britain will likely include the feature.
ISA systems are already present in many modern cars but can currently be easily overridden. However, from July, manufacturers must design systems that reactivate each time the engine starts, making them impossible to permanently disable. This has sparked debate among drivers, with some expressing frustration. One industry insider noted: 'You've got to balance whether it makes the car safer – but it's driving people mad. In practice, we're finding that a lot of people are switching it all off.'
Safety advocates argue the benefits are clear. Steve Fowler, an automotive consultant and former editor of Autocar, said: 'It's one of those things that it's very difficult to argue against. Sticking to speed limits is not only going to save you in no end of ways, it's going to potentially save lives.' Charities such as Brake and Rospa highlight that even small speed increases above 30mph significantly affect pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Official data shows that in 2022, 303 road deaths in Britain involved a speeding vehicle, a 20% rise since the pandemic. Meanwhile, RAC research indicates 57% of drivers admit to exceeding the 70mph motorway limit, while Department for Transport observations suggest up to 90% of vehicles flout 20mph limits on certain roads. Lawyers warn that drivers who switch off ISA could face legal consequences if involved in an accident.
Alongside ISA, other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as automated lane-keeping and autonomous emergency braking will become mandatory. However, questions remain about the technology's reliability in all conditions and whether drivers will accept cars taking control of steering, braking, and acceleration.
