European vehicles must be equipped with an intelligent speed adaptation system
A few years ago, Europe adopted an ambitious road objective. Indeed, the old continent has set itself the mission of achieving zero road deaths by 2050. To achieve this, the European Union took radical measures to modify the cars on the road. One of the first actions taken by the association consists of legislating on intelligent adaptation to speed (AIV).
AIV systems, which appeared in 2022 on new vehicle models sold on the European market, will be, from 1er July 2024, mandatory for all vehicles, even models released before the current year.
What is a smart speed limiter?
L’intelligent speed adaptation (AIV) is a device intended to help the driver maintain the permitted speed on the road. This actually means that the vehicle will automatically slow down if the driver exceeds the speed limits.
The tool calibrates itself to the authorized speeds on the roads with detection of signs using on-board cameras associated with the vehicle’s GPS. There are three main types of systems. The first is the luminous type, which displays a warning or alert symbol if the speed threshold is exceeded and which reminds you of the legal ceiling.
The second is more intrusive and increases upward pressure on the throttle control, making it more difficult to depress the pedal if the speed limit is reached. The third, now mandatory in Europe, reduces engine power in the event of excess, which ensures a gradual reduction in speed (without braking necessary). This type of limiter works similar to a cruise control system and ensures that the vehicle does not exceed a certain speed (in this case, the legal speed limit).
It will, however, be possible for the motorist to “force” the accelerations, but strong pressure must be placed on the accelerator in order to achieve this. The European Commission adds that it will be possible to deactivate the system, but that it will be reactivated automatically each time it is started.
A decision that is not unanimous
Obviously, this obligation is, according to the European Commission, a road safety measure which should limit a good number of accidents due to speed (up to 25,000 lives saved according to the association). In interview at Automotive Journal, Alexandra Legendre, head of the studies and communications center of the Drivers’ Defense League, expresses doubts about the reliability of the system: “We have numerous examples which tend to show that the AIV is not up to par. The camera responsible for recognizing road signs sometimes confuses them with the stickers displayed on the back of heavy goods vehicles and which indicate their speed limit.“
Several experts testify to the long adaptation time for motorists with the new technology, which makes its requirement rather risky, according to some of them.
Data recorders (black boxes) will also be compulsory in new vehicles from 2024. These will monitor the journeys and driving habits of European motorists in order, according to the authorities, to retrieve information which specifies how the driver is behaved when an incident occurred. This data may also be used for prosecution purposes.
