New motoring rules to introduce new speed-limiting technology to all new cars are due to go into effect later this week, with the question of whether it will be adopted across the country remaining.
On Sunday 7 July, the European Union will require all new vehicles to be fitted with Intelligent Speed ​​Assistance (ISA) systems to ensure road safety, following on from previous rules in 2022.
The new General Vehicle Safety Regulation (GSR2) will “prompt and encourage drivers to slow down when exceeding the speed limit” through accelerator control or other types of feedback, including haptic, visual and audible.
Thatcham Research said the new GSR2 policy means vehicles sold in the UK will use EU-specification software as manufacturers attempt to resolve issues surrounding EU-specific variants.
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All new cars built in the EU will have to have ISA technology installed
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These would be relatively difficult for manufacturers to create and would likely force higher prices when new vehicles are introduced to the market.
Northern Ireland will adopt the requirements of GSR2 following the EU type approval process as a result of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which Thatcham says will add to existing concerns.
The Department for Transport has commissioned research to look at the benefits and implications of introducing such technology in the UK, with a response to the new ISA systems expected “in due course”.
If advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) were to be introduced, consultation and legislation would be required to change the GB type approval scheme, which would likely be a lengthy process.
Commenting on the upcoming rules, Yousif Al-Ani, Principal Engineer – ADAS at Thatcham Research, an automotive risk research company, said the future of automotive safety is accident avoidance.
He added: “The UK has not yet signed up to GSR2, which will be followed by vehicle manufacturers across Europe.
“The technology mandated by this directive is already in most new cars and the UK could be at risk of falling behind in car safety if it does not adopt it.
“As ADAS systems are increasingly fitted to cars, vehicle manufacturers will need to address drivers’ concerns that these systems, such as emergency lane keeping systems, are interfering with their driving experience.”
The expert said manufacturers face a “real challenge” as they find a balance between security, performance and integration. It will also need to assess the impact it will have on motorists adapting to the new technology.
ADAS covers several safety features, including Intelligent Speed ​​Assistant (ISA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW) and Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS).
While ISA must be part of all new vehicles, drivers have the option to disable these features, although they automatically re-enable each time the car is restarted.
Experts have warned that ISA technology can sometimes be inaccurate due to incorrect or outdated maps, stressing that drivers must ensure their software is up to date.
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The new technology is expected to reduce the number of traffic accidents
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Temporary road signs and speed limits may also be a problem, likely leading to more drivers overriding the technology by stepping on the accelerator if they believe it will make them safer on the road.
Another change to the law will take place in June 2026, when the European Union will mandate additional road safety measures, including advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) and other emergency braking systems for pedestrians and cyclists.