Car with speed limiter is proposed to reduce traffic accidents

A technology capable of automatically reducing the speed of vehicles that exceed the limits of the road is being discussed and considered in Europe. Although still under study, the measure evaluated by the European Commission foresees an evolution of assistance systems for new vehicles from 2030, reigniting the global debate on automation and the limits of technological intervention in driving.

Although it seems like something taken from a movie, the idea of a vehicle that, autonomously, establishes the maximum speed allowed on each urban or road stretch is closer than most people imagine. This possibility is already under exploratory analysis by the European authorities and with the proposal of a speed limiter in cars that actively acts in the deceleration of the car whenever the signs are disrespected.

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Despite the repercussion among drivers and manufacturers, the issue has not yet become legislation nor does it have a definitive project.

How does the speed limiter work? What changes with the new proposal?

To understand the change under study, it is necessary to analyze the current scenario. Since July 2024, all new cars sold in the European Union must be equipped with the Intelligent Speed Assistant (ISA) from the factory, in compliance with the economic bloc’s General Vehicle Safety Regulation.

The ISA system operates by combining signal recognition cameras with GPS data and digital maps. However, there is a fundamental difference between the current model and the new proposal under discussion:

Security benefits vs. technological failures and challenges

Excessive speed is among the determining factors for the occurrence of serious accidents worldwide. Therefore, the adoption of an active limiter has the potential to reduce the average speed of the roads and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

On the other hand, automotive experts and engineers warn of technical and operational bottlenecks that need to be solved before any automatic automation:

• Margin of error in reading data: signs covered by vegetation, temporary signs of works, failures in the GPS connection and outdated maps can make the vehicle interpret the limit incorrectly, causing undue and dangerous deceleration.
• Emergency manoeuvres: in extreme situations, such as fast overtaking on single lanes or defensive manoeuvres to avoid obstacles, the driver needs immediate engine acceleration. Rigid throttle lock can compromise the safety reaction.

What is the impact of the measure on drivers in Brazil?

At the moment, there is no proposal or bill in progress in Brazil for the adoption of this type of technology. However, the national automotive market is directly impacted by the standards adopted on the European continent.

Advanced driver assistance features (ADAS), such as autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, fatigue alert and license plate reader, for example, debuted in luxury vehicles in Europe and gradually reached models sold in Brazil. As the cost of these technologies decreases, the trend is that passive speed warning systems will also become part of more affordable cars in the country.