The Department for Transport (DfT) has said it is considering new vehicle technologies, including intelligent speed assist (ISA), to aid road safety, Fleet News has reported.
In response to an enquiry made on behalf of the National Body Repair Association (NBRA), the DfT confirmed the new EU legislation regarding ISA is scheduled to apply to new vehicle types in the EU from July 2022 and all new registrations from 2024.
In the EU, a speed warning system will be compulsory in all new cars, vans, goods vehicles, buses, and electric vehicles (EVs). Motorcycles and mopeds will remain exempt from this.
ISA intends to encourage drivers to observe the speed limit. The system will not limit speed and can also be deactivated by the driver but will reactivate each time the vehicle is restarted.
Chris Weeks, NBRA director said: “Consumer safety is paramount and welcomed by NBRA, however, we are concerned about the impact this will have on the repair industry.
“We will not oppose any measures that increase consumer safety, but we will be watching the impact this technology has on claim frequency in the EU in order to understand the knock-on effect it may have in the UK.”
There are currently no mandates on speed warning systems such as ISA on new vehicles in Great Britain. However, many vehicles are fitted with this technology to earn higher ratings on the EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Protocol), said the NBRA.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is being urged to adopt EU vehicle safety measures that are due to come into effect in July.
The package of 15 integrated measures includes better direct vision in HGVs, automated emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists, and ISA.
Fleet News February 2022