Europe: all new vehicles must be fitted with a speeding detector
On July 5, 2022, theEuropean Union passed a new law aimed at reducing the number of fatal collisions, which would require automakers to install a speeding detector on their vehicles. From July 2024, all new vehicles marketed in Europe must be fitted with it.
Regulated by the European road safety chartere, this law aims to reduce speeding, which contributes to 30% of fatal collisions on European roads. The Charter hopes that the obligation to install such technology on board vehicles will allow this percentage to be deducted considerably.
Detect speed at all times
Some manufacturers already offer speed limiters, adjustable by the driver, which prevent the vehicle from exceeding the preset speed. Other models are even equipped with intelligent cruise control which reduces cruising speed when the vehicle enters a zone of 50 km/h or less.
However, the technology proposed by the European Union would be even more precise and would be called ISA for Intelligent Speed Assist.
It would use a combination of means to achieve its ends. We think, in particular, of the use of the front camera, the navigation system, the positioning of the vehicle and, even, the integration of artificial intelligence, which would allow the vehicle to adapt to its environment in real time, even when it is impossible for the vehicle to read a traffic sign. The vehicle would then automatically reduce its speed.
Obviously, the European Union recognizes that such a system could show failures caused by insufficient data in the event of bad weather. That’s why she recommends drivers always stay alert and aware of their surroundings while driving. It also gives manufacturers some time to perfect the technology before it comes into force in July 2024.
There will be an “off” button
For those wondering about the ability to disable the feature, the answer is yes. Like current driver assistance systems, ISA can be overridden by depressing the accelerator pedal or completely deactivated by pressing a button.
The objective of this law is obviously not to impose restrictions on motorists, but rather to give them even more tools to allow them to avoid a collision or receive a ticket for speeding.
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Note that, in Quebec, we too have a problem with speeding. In 2021, they contributed to 24.5% of fatal collisions, which had 14 more than in 2020. A similar law would therefore make sense here.
In addition, if the technology proves to be truly effective during bad weather, a snowstorm, for example, it could help Quebec motorists better understand their environment and thus adapt their driving to the conditions with even more precision.
