Final reminder for Brits over new speed limit law that’s about to come into force

A new law that affects UK drivers is coming into force this weekend.

Speeding is undeniably an going issue on our country's roads, with there being one a million fines issued in 2022 alone.

But there's a new law that's being introduced on Sunday (7 July) that might help you swerve that unwanted £100 fine and extra points on your license.

The law is actually part of new EU rules and regulations and while the UK has since left the EU, it will still affect many of us as a large majority of our vehicles are imported from EU countries.

And experts have said that the new legislation regarding technology in newly manufactured cars 'could lead to a drastic change in road safety'.

What is this new speed limit law?

From 7 July, all new cars made in Europe are required to be fitted with speed limiters, which are designed to limit the vehicle’s top speed.

All new cars sold in the UK must follow the new regulations as, even following Brexit, the UK has retained most EU laws for new vehicles.

The new legislation will apply to car manufacturers like Audi. (Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images)

What is a speed limiter?

AutoTrader explains that a speed limiter is a safety device that can be fitted in your car so that it doesn’t go over a certain speed.

The technology, which is called Intelligent Speed Assistant (ISA) uses GPS data and/or traffic-sign-recognition cameras to ‘determine the maximum speed allowed in an area’.

“The system then limits the engine’s power and the vehicle’s speed to that limit,” AutoTrader says, adding: “The speed limiter will send haptic, audio, and visual warnings until you start driving within the speed limits.

“You can override the system by pressing hard on the accelerator, but the system will reactivate every time the car is started.”

New cars made in the EU will be fitted with speed limiters. (Getty Stock)

What are the experts saying?

According to Motor Match, police records last year showed that exceeding the speed limit was a contributing factor to 20 percent of deaths on the road.

A spokesperson said in recent weeks: "The new rules, set to take effect in July, introduce 'mandatory' speed limiters, changing how we drive on roads.

“These Intelligent Speed Assistance systems will become standard, forcing drivers to stick to speed limits automatically. For instance, ISA technology would limit you to a maximum of 70mph, as this is the national speed limit.

“It's important to note that while speed limiters are already present in many cars, the upcoming regulations tighten control.”

Over a million speeding fines were given out in 2022. (Getty Stock)

While it’s illegal to ignore a speed limit, a total of 5,171 accidents in 2022 were caused by motorists exceeding one, with a 5.1 percent increase year-on-year.

The Motor Match spokesperson added: "The new Intelligent Speed Assistance systems not only prevent speeding fines and contribute to fuel savings, but also significantly reduce the risk of penalties.

“The minimum penalty for speeding currently includes a £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence.

"With ISA technology, the likelihood of accumulating penalty points, and the risk of being disqualified from driving for gathering 12 or more points within three years, is greatly reduced.

“This technology could lead to a drastic change in road safety, fostering a more controlled driving environment where speed limits are adhered to, thus reducing accidents significantly."

Be safe out there, folks!