So says Cobra UK, which adds that its speed limiter sales more than doubled in the second half of 2013, mainly by van operators but also some car fleets too.

‘The association between speed reduction and reduced fuel use is obvious, but there have been a surprising number of companies who are turning to speed limiters for Duty of Care reasons,’ said Cobra UK managing director Andrew Smith.

‘Speed limiters are being considered as a non-evasive way of keeping employees safe while they are driving on company business.

‘We have had requests for towbar speed limiters and also for limiters just for urban use as companies come up with innovative ways to keep their drivers safe and legal,’ he added.

The firm adds that companies in the South East are also citing the recent announcement of the forthcoming introduction of grey “stealth cameras” on major motorways such as the M1, M6 and M25 and the proposed enforcement of a 60mph limit on stretches of the M3 as reasons for their interest in speed limiters.