Although ISAs are mandated for all cars sold in Europe from July 2024, the method is still up to the manufacturer’s discretion.
It means firms can choose whether to install an acoustic warning, a vibrating warning, haptic feedback through the acceleration pedal or a fully functioning speed control system.
The European Road Safety Charter (ERSC) even accepts that the first two options “do not directly intervene but only provide warnings”.
This gives motorists more control of their vehicles but means the limits can simply be ignored if they wish to.
On the other hand, speed control functions will take control of the throttle pedal. The ERSC stresses the system can be “overridden” by simply “pushing slightly harder on the acceleration pedal”.
So as some drivers are slowing down to stop the incessant beeping in their cabin, others are overriding the tools with a sudden burst of throttle. It’s surely a recipe for disaster.
Meanwhile, ISA tools use GPS and radar technology to determine local speed limits which are then fed back to the dashboard.
However, in my brief experience, I found the ISA fitted didn’t pick up the actual speed limits, especially in local housing estates where slower speed restrictions are imposed. The ISA said I could accelerate up to 30mph in a built-up area I know to be 20mph.
It means ISA technology is still lacking in one of the most vital areas where even a few miles per hour extra can have devastating consequences for pedestrians. Displaying false speed limit information on a dashboard is only likely to confuse motorists.
It’s possible that an overreliance on technology means motorists will take what the tool says as gospel and pay less attention to road signs.
It means those travelling in areas unfamiliar to them are surely likely to be hit with more fines and extra penalty points.
According to the EU, studies show that reducing average speeds by just 1km/h can result in a five percent reduction in fatal accidents.
Anything to improve road safety should be welcomed with open arms and applauded and an improved ISA will be a revolutionary development.
However, there is a need to iron out the cracks before rolling the new technology before it spectacularly backfires.
