The European Commission is considering a significant overhaul of road safety regulations that could mandate satellite technology to automatically limit vehicle speeds. The proposed system would use orbiting satellites and digital maps to identify speed limits and intervene if a car exceeds them, potentially slowing the vehicle down to comply.
This technology, which is already in use for rental e-bikes, would require new vehicles to be fitted with devices that can limit engine power. While the EU proposals are not binding for the UK post-Brexit, experts suggest manufacturers would likely integrate the technology into models sold in Britain due to the cost of producing separate versions. The United Kingdom has already seen speed limiting technology implemented in London's bus fleet, with 5,000 of 8,000 buses equipped by 2031.
Proponents argue that such measures could drastically reduce road fatalities. Road safety campaigners cite statistics indicating that speed is a common factor in fatal collisions, with a one mph reduction in average speed linked to a six percent decrease in accidents. The European Transport Safety Council estimates that ensuring compliance with speed limits could cut collisions by 30 percent and deaths by 20 percent. Supporters also suggest potential benefits like reduced insurance premiums and fewer court cases related to speeding offenses.
However, critics raise concerns about the reliability and potential misuse of the technology. Richard Holden, the UK's Shadow Transport Secretary, questioned the system's accuracy, citing instances where current speed limit assist systems misinterpret signs. He also voiced worries about the possibility of hacking and more intrusive applications, likening the proposal to a "Big Brother" scenario. Drivers might face difficulties if the system overrides their ability to accelerate in critical merging situations on motorways, he warned.
Concerns have also been raised about the accuracy of existing Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) systems. Research from Thatcham Research indicates that current ISA technology fails to identify speed limit changes in up to 25 percent of cases. Critics like Hugh Bladon of the Alliance of British Drivers point to personal experiences with current systems incorrectly identifying speed limits, raising questions about the infallibility of more advanced versions.
While the EU has stated that discussions with stakeholders are purely exploratory, the push for mandatory speed limiting technology reflects a broader effort to address road safety. Earlier proposals for ISA in the EU included automatic speed restriction, but these were made optional following lobbying from car manufacturers. The current move suggests a renewed effort to implement more robust speed control measures.