New automated speed limiting technology is set to become mandatory on all new vehicles which are sold in Europe from 2022 after new rules were provisionally agreed by the EU.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport has confirmed that the system would be implemented in the UK, regardless of Brexit.
Road safety campaigners have welcomed the move citing the fact that the lower speeds would help to save thousands of lives each year.
‘Brake’ called the ruling a “landmark day” but motoring organisation the ‘AA” has said that “a little speed” helped motorists when overtaking on motorways.
The safety measures announced by the European Commission included lane-keeping technology, advanced automated emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance.
Motor manufacturers such as Tesla already have the hardware and software needed in order to comply with the rules in its range of vehicles.
A spokesperson for the EU has said that the ruling could help to prevent 140,000 serious injuries by 2038 and added that the new regulations could stop all road deaths by 2050.
The automated technology would prevent motorists from driving at excess speed and will prevent people from intentionally exceeding the speed limit, such as the male who filmed himself driving at 170 mph in his Audi S3
EU Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska said:
“Every year, 25,000 people lose their lives on our roads. The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error.
“With the new advanced safety features that will become mandatory, we can have the same kind of impact as when safety belts were first introduced.”
The technology will utilise GPS with automated mapping meaning that the vehicles fitted with the technology will ‘know’ what the speed limit is at any given point on the road network.
Fewer road casualties will also mean less of a strain on the emergency services and NHS when dealing with accidents which have been caused or exacerbated by speed.
The technology could also mean an end to high-speed pursuits as individuals who are intent on running from the law will not be able to exceed posted speed limits in their attempts to get away from the police.
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