Drivers adapting to new speed limiter rules have been told they can bypass the technology, potentially sparking further safety fears.
The European Union has introduced the “General Safety Regulation for New Vehicles” measures to equip all new vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The new rules, introduced on Sunday 7 July, aim to reduce the number of road accidents and casualties by ensuring drivers know the speed limits and do not make the roads more dangerous.
As part of the rules, Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) will now be featured in all new cars, along with other safety measures like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) and Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS).
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Drivers can press the accelerator to bypass the technology
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Speed monitoring systems are already featured in some cars, including all new Volvos and the new Ford Focus, with brands required to follow the rules with all new vehicles.
However, European Commission rules state that there are ways to circumvent speed limiter technology, regardless of the method used in vehicles.
The haptic feedback system can gently push the driver’s foot back if he or she exceeds the speed limit. It helps reduce driving speed, but can also be overridden by the driver.
Similarly, a speed control system that relies on engine management can be “easily overridden by the driver.”
This is the automatic reduction of propulsion power, regardless of the position of the driver’s foot on the pedal.
Further details included in the policy documents state that when the driver has exceeded the speed control function (SCF), it must be “temporarily suspended” and reactivated after four events.
This includes the speedometer speed becoming equal to or lower than the perceived speed limit, a complete release of the accelerator control for more than three seconds, the activation of an endurance braking system or the perceived speed limit being reduced to a lower value.
A study found that only 6% of drivers think it is a good idea for manufacturers to fit their new cars with a speed limiter.
Richard Evans, Technical Services Manager at webuyanycar, said: “While some drivers may not be happy with the restrictions, the introduction of speed limiters is intended to deter drivers from reaching high speeds when driving in order to make the roads safer for all road users.
“Drivers who exceed the speed limit put their lives and the lives of other road users at risk. It is therefore important that they remain aware of the speed at which they are driving to avoid accidents.”
The Department for Transport has commissioned a study to examine the impact ISA technology would have on England, Scotland and Wales, with Northern Ireland adopting the rules.
Any new rules allowing the use of ADAS and ISA in new UK cars would require public consultation and legislation to make the necessary changes to the UK type approval system.
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The new EU rules were introduced earlier this month
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Although the changes have not yet been introduced, the DfT remains a member of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which already supports the use of measures used in the General Safety Regulation.
Further vehicle measures will be introduced in June 2026 under EU safety guidelines, which will see new cars fitted with an advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) system and additional braking systems for pedestrians and cyclists.