Almost three out of four UK motorists (73%) back using in-car technology that would help ensure they stick to the speed limit.  

Speed limiters, which actively regulate or alert drivers to speeding, have just become compulsory for new cars introduced in the European Union

Speed limiters, which actively regulate or alert drivers to speeding, have just become compulsory for new cars introduced in the European Union and the research from Startline Motor Finance shows strong backing for their introduction here.   

Under the General Safety Regulation, all newly launched car models in EU countries are required to have Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) tech as of 6 July 2022. However, the Department for Transport said it would not implement the systems from the same date and added that no decision has yet been taken on which elements of the package will be implemented in the UK.  

Yet, the research from Startline indicates that drivers would welcome any such introduction. The survey, carried out among 300 consumers and 50 dealers, reveals that 93% encounter other drivers significantly exceeding the speed limit and 90% find it “threatening” when other drivers speed. However, 72% admit to exceeding the speed limit slightly themselves and 30% do so significantly. Despite this, 60% say they believe they are still driving safely when they are speeding.  

A total of 35% of motorists who back the technology believe that too many people drive too fast while 33% believe the speed limit is there to keep everyone safe. In contrast, 39% of those against its introduction say they want to be in control of the car at all times – despite the technology being overrideable – while 24% say it is unnecessary as they stick to the speed limit.  

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Our consumer research findings for August show strong backing for speed limiters. While a proportion admit to speeding themselves, they clearly see active, in-vehicle reinforcement of the limit as a good idea.  

“Maybe the standout finding here is that 90% of those we surveyed find speeding by other road users ‘threatening’ and that maybe explains our findings. While people feel that they are safe if they speed themselves, it makes them feel unsafe when others do the same, and their conclusion appears to be that using technology to help stop all speeding is sensible.  

“It’ll be interesting to see whether the UK government follows the EU in making limiters compulsory although there is a possibility that manufacturers, who often specify the same cars across the whole European market, will now fit them anyway.”  

The research brings added pressure on the Government to take action on the technology. It’s believed that the technology will soon arrive en masse in the UK anyway as carmakers are already installing the tech for other countries.

The DfT has stressed that it’s still deciding on a future course of action.  

A spokesperson said: “The UK’s departure from the EU provides us with the platform to capitalise on our regulatory freedoms and make decisions that are right for Great Britain and benefit road safety.  

“We’re currently assessing the vehicle safety technologies included in the EU’s General Safety Regulation and a decision will be taken in due course as to whether to mandate any of those in Great Britain.”