Drivers face new driving law changes from July as mandatory speed limiters are rolled out

Motorists are set to face a significant change in driving laws come July, as 'mandatory' speed limiters will be introduced in all new cars. From July 6, vehicles could be equipped with intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems that automatically adjust the car's speed to comply with legal limits.

The new regulations, which apply to both the European Union and Northern Ireland, dictate that all cars sold in the UK must have ISA installed, irrespective of the manufacturing location.

Graham Conway, managing director at UK leasing firm Select Car Leasing, says the fear is that motorists could seek to bypass the ISA system by ‘uncoding’ it from the car’s ECU via the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port - just like you might take your car to a specialist to have it ‘chipped’ in order to eke more power from the engine.

But he warns doing so could have serious - and costly - repercussions, potentially voiding a manufacturer’s warranty and also falling foul of insurers.

He says: “While modern Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) systems are controversial, they’re here to keep all of us safe on the road and their importance shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Many systems are active and audible by default each time a car is turned on. That has prompted some motorists to attempt to bypass the ISA by having it uncoded, so that the system is turned off by default. We’ve seen examples of motorists seeking such help on many online forums.

“While it might seem like an innocent change to the car’s set-up, doing so could have serious implications.

“A car is fitted with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like ISA for a very good reason, and a manufacturer could take a very dim view of that technology being bypassed. You could very easily void a manufacturer’s warranty by doing so.

“That’s also not to mention the potential electrical gremlins you could unleash by having any car ‘chipped’, which could also see you falling foul of a warranty.

“Then there are insurance complications. A car will be rated by an insurance company according to its safety and in accordance with its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, of which ISA is one.

“If you alter the function of ISA, and you’re involved in an accident, worst-case circumstances could see your insurer refusing to pay out.”

Dr David Hynd, chief scientist at Transport Research Laboratory, shared his positive experience with the system: "It stops me getting speeding fines. It saves me money on my fuel bill, which is always very welcome. But, best of all, it provides an extra set of eyes, which I find particularly helpful when I'm navigating new places, or the roads are busy."

A motorist has praised the Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) system, saying: "ISA gives me head space and that makes me a better driver. On a motorway, I use ISA in conjunction with cruise control, and have been pleasantly surprised by how much less tired I am after a long journey when using this system.", reports Birmingham Live.

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has previously highlighted the potential of new ISA technology to significantly reduce collisions, claiming it could cut crashes by around 30 per cent. Mike Hawes, president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), commented on the proactive approach of some car makers: "Some manufacturers have already been offering these technologies to consumers ahead of any regulations, including Intelligent Speed Assistance, and will continue to do so across the UK."

He also touched on the importance of regulatory alignment, stating: "With the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory divergence is not advantageous for either party."

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport has indicated its ongoing commitment to road safety, noting that it regularly reviews policies to help reduce casualties. The department has initiated research to assess the benefits and implications of such technologies in Great Britain and promises to provide updates when appropriate.

Before any new vehicle technologies can be mandated, the Department for Transport emphasises that thorough consultation and legislative changes would be necessary to update the GB type approval scheme.