New cars sold in Europe require anti-speeding tech

The European Union has introduced a regulation where all new cars sold in Europe from 2024 will require anti-speeding technology.

Intelligent speed assistance (ISA) will be used to prevent drivers from exceeding a road’s posted speed limit via an array of systems mounted to the vehicle, including front-mounted cameras, GPS data or both.

Most new vehicles produced today are already fitted with devices that alert the driver to the local speed limit. ISA will do the same but can also induce audible warnings, automatically adjust the car’s speed or even reduce engine power.

However, the kill-joy system can still be disabled by the driver.

Many owners of newer vehicles with road sign recognition will recognise that this system often gets it wrong, especially in construction zones or areas with missing signage.

An EU-funded project called PROSPER indicated ISA could prevent between 26 and 50 percent of road fatalities.

It’s possible many European vehicles that go on-sale in New Zealand from 2024 will come with this safety system. Considering the Ministry of Transport is pursuing the objective of zero deaths on our roads, there is also the possibility of it being mandated for all new cars sold in New Zealand in the future.

Although the regulation went into effect on 6 July 2022, it doesn’t apply to any new cars currently on sale.