[NMNeil]

I'm seeing a number of articles saying that starting on July 7th, all new cars sold in the EU and the UK must have speed limiters fitted as standard.
Is this true, and if so how will the high performance car makers deal with it?
"I've just bought a new Ferrari"
"How fast will it go?"
"With the speed limiter as fast as a Prius"

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/u...g-law-29097284

Not exactly a selling point for the performance car industry.

[Drivingforfun]

Personally I've never actually bought a car based on its top speed

It's all about acceleration, handling, smoothness etc. for me

I don't even know the top speed of any of our performance cars, the only one I know is our Toyota Aygo which is 99mph because we joked that at least it's impossible to immediately lose ones license on the motorway due to speeding

I'm not pretending I'm some kind of saint when it comes to speed limits but I can count the number of times I have driven at a 3-figure speed on 1 hand, and that includes the times I've done it legally as well

I'd buy a car with a top speed of 100mph over a car with a top speed of 200mph if the former had a quicker 0-60 time and better handling and stuff...

[Drivingforfun]

To add I believe Japan has a hard speed limit of 112mph or something which is only turned off upon entering a race track

Their enthusiast car following is still very healthy!!

[TC1474]

My understanding is that drivers here in the UK will be able to over ride the speed limit in a similar way to how cruise control is deactivated , usually by pushing down on the throttle.

I have spoken to a few ex colleagues and even the top line patrol cars such as I used to drive will be having the limiters fitted and they will have to get used to knocking them off each time they restart their engines

[NMNeil]

I'd imagine there will be a period that will allow drivers to get used to the limiters, then the option to disable will be removed.
I wonder if they need it to be fitted onto motorcycles?

[TC1474]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

I'd imagine there will be a period that will allow drivers to get used to the limiters, then the option to disable will be removed.
I wonder if they need it to be fitted onto motorcycles?

My understanding is that the option to over ride will remain, not least because (at the moment anyway) we are not a member of the EU anymore, and it is only EU countries that are going to be obliged to have them, although we have agreed to have them fitted to our vehicles.

It does not (apparently) apply to bikes and they will continue as now.

The system is called Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), it will be interesting to see how intelligent it really is.

[Mark07]

Based on what has been reported, do you think this will be a net positive change for road users?

[Drivingforfun]

@Mark07

Personally I can see it not really having a huge positive impact

People who habitually and grossly disrespect the laws will think nothing of just overriding it while those who generally obey but occasionally wish to make a swifter overtake or slip-road entry in the name of safety will be inconvenienced

Surely the fact that you can "override the speed limit by pressing the accelerator pedal harder" is exactly how you override the speed limit as things are at the moment?! 😅

[NMNeil]

And from my understanding every time the ISA is overridden it's logged in the data recorder, and with most if not all new cars being connected to the internet maybe the police and the insurance companies will know when it's overridden.
The police won't do much, other than use the data for evidence in any court cases, but the insurance companies are always on the lookout for a reason to hike the premiums or reduce risk.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/autonomous-vehicles/connected-cars/

[Santa]

Originally Posted by TC1474

My understanding is that drivers here in the UK will be able to over ride the speed limit in a similar way to how cruise control is deactivated , usually by pushing down on the throttle.

Overriding the set speed has not deactivated any of the cruise controls I have used in cars or HGVs. Pressing the brake or clutch is the normal method.

I have long thought that, since my car always knows the current speed limit where it is, (even in roadworks etc) it would make sense for it to slow down to that speed automatically. I have been on a speed awareness course, and if my fellow participants were to be believed many of us drove into a speed limit without noticing the change.

A few days ago, I came off a motorway onto a 40mph dual carriageway. Without thinking, I pressed reset on the CC and the car promptly did its best to speed up to the 70 it was set at. Of course, I switched it off and reset it, but it was a slightly fraught moment.

[NMNeil]

Originally Posted by Mark07

Based on what has been reported, do you think this will be a net positive change for road users?

Anything that can reduce the deaths and injuries on the roads can only be a good thing.

[Rolebama]

I once drove a customer's car on the M25 whose owner said it would not go any faster then 70mph. He was quite right, even on the long downhill anti-clock to J18, you could feel the braking effect. When we contacted the manufacturer, he said it would have to be connected by modem to their server to change it. Owner took it to main dealer, who charged £150 to change it. I never found out what it was changed to.

[TC1474]

If this article is to be believed, it seems that the UK will not be subject to having speed limiters fitted, although I have yet to find anything to contradict this piece
July 2024: EU mandates speed limiters on new cars, UK opts out (motor1.com)

[NMNeil]

All cars made for the EU market will have the system fitted as standard, but the UK versions won't be activated; yet.
But this article published today makes no mention of the UK opting out.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/1...-how-they-work

[Mark07]

Link to RAC article: All new cars sold in Europe required to be equipped with speed limiters

"Known as Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), it is a system that restricts the speed of a vehicle automatically.It uses a combination of GPS tracking data, satellite navigation, and information on speed limits of that roads that the vehicle is currently on.
If the driver is travelling over the speed limit, the system can reduce engine power until the speed drops to the limit of the road."

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

All cars made for the EU market will have the system fitted as standard, but the UK versions won't be activated; yet.
But this article published today makes no mention of the UK opting out.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/1...-how-they-work

The question of "opting out" doesn't arise. The UK is no longer a member of the EU or subject to new EU laws.

[NMNeil]

True, but at the end of the day the ISA is a safety system, much like seat belts, air bags, ABS brakes etc. So why would anyone not want something that makes the roads safer?

[Rolebama]

I don't think, from what I have seen and read, that it is a safety measure. More of another form of control.
I opted for a speed awareness course some years ago. I was doing 36 in a 30 limit because the Borough had moved the speed limit down the road. I was doing 36 as I slowed for a dog-leg bend. (They changed the limit from 40 to 30, and I was told that had I not slowed down for the dog-leg, but carried on at 40, I probably wouldn't have been offered a course.)

[NMNeil]

You have just explained the reason for the ISA system, because relying on the driver to stick to the speed limits isn't working, whatever the reason or excuse.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22468gpyzo
And what many overlook is that many safety systems, such as the ISA are not to the benefit or detriment of the driver, they are for the safety of other road users.

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

I don't think, from what I have seen and read, that it is a safety measure. More of another form of control.
I opted for a speed awareness course some years ago. I was doing 36 in a 30 limit because the Borough had moved the speed limit down the road. I was doing 36 as I slowed for a dog-leg bend. (They changed the limit from 40 to 30, and I was told that had I not slowed down for the dog-leg, but carried on at 40, I probably wouldn't have been offered a course.)

These days you'd be offered a course up to 42 in a 30 limit.
The guidelines may have changed since your course; alternatively, it has been alleged that some instructors make things up as they go

[NMNeil]

If it was being used today this would never have happened.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/u...-baby-29510551
Makes you wonder why anyone is opposed to the ISA system being mandatory and activated.

[Rolebama]

As my car has spent so much time idle over the last weeks, I decided to take it for a drive last night, around midnight when the roads would be relatively empty. So I drove approx 20 miles, which took around 45 minutes due to traffic lights and roundabouts. I stuck to the speed limits using the cruise control. It really stuck out to me how many people tailgate. Ample opportunities to overtake or drop back, but no, keep as close to my rear bumper as possible.
If somebody were to come up with mandatory distance-keeping, (a version of Active Cruise Control), I'd be all for it.
I live in an area where there is all sorts of wildlife and I wonder how much of the roadkill is due to people not wanting to risk braking because of the risk of being rear-ended.

[NMNeil]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

If somebody were to come up with mandatory distance-keeping, (a version of Active Cruise Control), I'd be all for it.

So the human brain isn't up to the task? 😉

[Rolebama]

It's not that it's not up to the task, but people seem not to use that section of their brain.
FWIW: Every 'Things You Hate That Other Drivers Do' type surveys that I have seen Tailgating comes in at No1 or 2.

[NMNeil]

The problem here in the US is that car culture is so ingrained they seem to forget just how dangerous cars are.
For example if I took my Glock onto the lawn in front of the courthouse and fired it into the ground I'd be surrounded by police with guns drawn, I'd get arrested, put in jail and have my Glock confiscated forever as I'm a danger to the public.
But I can get blind drunk and drive my truck into the courthouse, I'd get arrested and put in jail, but I could bond out of jail the same day and they would give me the truck back.
Never understood that one.
Oh, and the truck driven into the courthouse happened here, and yes, he got the truck back the same day.