I tried a car with a new UK compulsory speed limiter and other drivers had plenty to say

Wales Online

13-06-2025

I tried a car with a new UK compulsory speed limiter and other drivers had plenty to say
All new cars sold in UK dealerships must be fitted with a mandatory speed limiter device even though it's an EU rule, and I found out the hard way what other motorists thought of mine
All new cars now sold in the UK are fitted with a mandatory speed limiter
(Image: PA )
All new cars sold in UK dealerships now have 'mandatory' speed limiters. It's due to a shake-up of rules by the European Union (EU).
The EU has rolled out new ISA regulations under its General Safety Rule (GSR) - which stipulates the minimum safety standards required on vehicles and trailers.
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Despite the UK not adopting the EU's GSR, manufacturers based in Europe aren't removing ISA technology from UK-bound cars, meaning British drivers will be impacted by the changes.
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Motor vehicles can be retrofitted with three types of ISA: informative/advisory, supportive/warning and intervening/mandatory. Each one varies in the effect and power it has on the vehicle and driver. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The least forceful one is informative/advisory ISA which simply flashes a warning sign on the dashboard or makes an audible gong. Then there's supportive/warning ISA which increases the upward pressure on the accelerator - but this can be overridden by holding down the pedal.
The most forceful one is intervening/mandatory ISA, which limits the fuel injection inside the vehicle to stop a driver from speeding. ISA also works alongside GPS and traffic sign data, allowing it to know when to kick in.
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The move to include Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) in vehicles bound for the UK has sparked a mixed response from motorists. Some drivers see it as a welcome safety feature, while others fear it could strip them of the power needed to "get out of nasty accidents".
A portion of motorists perceive it as an unwarranted interference with their driving autonomy. Although ISA is capable of capping a car's speed, it's been noted that cars headed for the UK will be equipped with a 'softer version', which I reckon is a sensible approach.
From my perspective, the introduction of some form of mandatory ISA can be advantageous, but not to the extent where it encroaches on a motorist's liberty. Having personally tested a vehicle with a mandatory speed limiter on motorways, I can appreciate its intent.
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However, during my test drive, a minority of drivers were less than pleased. On a couple of occasions, frustrated drivers closed in on my tail as I maintained the legal speed limit.
With either a dashboard notification or added resistance to the accelerator pedal, it might encourage drivers to think twice about exceeding speed limits. In peak traffic times, ISA could help reduce congestion by deterring motorists from speeding and following too closely.