So you like to drive huh? You have a heavy foot? Well in Europe your car is about to keep you from having any fun.
Starting July 2024, all new vehicles sold in the European Union must be equipped with Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology, as part of the EU's effort to enhance road safety and reduce accidents caused by speeding. The new regulation aims to address the significant role of excessive speed in fatal crashes, which the European Commission attributes to nearly 30% of all such incidents.
All cars to be fitted with speed-limiting AI due to new EU rules https://t.co/3bBgjTs3IR
— Marc Morano (@ClimateDepot) July 16, 2024
ISA technology uses a combination of GPS data and front-mounted cameras to detect and adhere to speed limits. When a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit, the system provides feedback to the driver and can even automatically reduce the vehicle’s speed by limiting engine power. Major car manufacturers, including Honda, Ford, Jeep, and Mercedes-Benz, are already incorporating ISA into their European models.
Despite the well-intentioned push for greater safety, the new mandate has a notable loophole: drivers can override the ISA system. This can be done by applying extra pressure to the accelerator or disabling the system altogether if it becomes too cumbersome. This feature is critical due to potential inaccuracies in speed limit detection, such as those caused by damaged or vandalized road signs and adverse weather conditions that may hinder the system’s ability to read speed limits correctly.
As EU laws demand 'speed limiters' are fitted to new cars, how they might hike the cost of your vehicle… but save you a packet on insurance. We will see.https://t.co/jBiQ5MGvma via https://t.co/yKLuHcxeAT
— Xenomorph (@PetenShirl) July 10, 2024
The EU's regulation has faced mixed reactions. While some hail it as a major step forward in reducing road fatalities, others express concerns about the technology's reliability and the implications of driver overrides. A test highlighted by Autocar revealed that the ISA system could be slow to respond, occasionally setting incorrect speed limits, such as detecting a 60 mph limit in a quiet village .
Moreover, the UK has opted not to adopt this EU regulation, meaning the rules will not apply to new cars sold in Great Britain, though they will apply in Northern Ireland. This decision underscores the varying levels of acceptance and implementation challenges associated with ISA technology.
Proponents of ISA believe that widespread adoption of the technology could lead to a significant reduction in road traffic injuries and fatalities. The European Commission's projections suggest that mandated ISA could potentially result in 26% to 50% fewer road deaths, a substantial improvement in public safety as the technology becomes more prevalent on European roads.
As the July 2024 deadline approaches, car manufacturers are racing to ensure compliance with the new regulations, while drivers and industry experts continue to debate the efficacy and practicality of mandatory speed-limiting systems. Despite the loopholes, the EU remains optimistic that ISA will play a crucial role in making roads safer for everyone.
