Drivers already affected by new speed limit laws coming to UK next week share main concerns

The debate around the new speed limit laws coming to the UK which will 'change the way' we drive is still in full swing, but whether we like it or not, it's happening next week.

Brits aren't too impressed that we've only had seven-days notice about the modification that will be coming to all new cars made in Europe from 7 July in the hopes of stopping people from putting their foot down.

Although the UK is no longer a part of the EU after Brexit, a lot of the motors we drive are still made there, so the move will certainly impact those of us who have been eyeing up a new vehicle.

Basically, all cars will now be kitted out with speed limiters which aim to curb the number of drivers tearing up the tarmac.

The new Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems will use speed sign recognition cameras and/or GPS-linked speed limit data to advise drivers of the speed limit as well as warning them if they’re going over it.

More advanced systems will even be able to automatically limit the car’s speed.

Using the GPS date or traffic sign recognition cameras, the ISA will be able to determine the speed limit of the road you are travelling on and your engine power will then be limited to match this - as to stop you from speeding over the limit.

Drivers will reportedly be able to 'override' the system for their journey by pushing hard on the throttle, according to Evo, but the system will reset every time you turn the car back on.

But the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) warned that this isn't a way for people to get around the speed limiters.

Drivers aren't thrilled by the prospect of the new Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems (Getty Stock Image)

The ETSC added: "If the driver continues to drive above the speed limit for several seconds, the system should sound a warning for a few seconds and display a visual warning until the vehicle is operating at or below the speed limit again."

A spokesperson for Motor Match also explained: "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."

As you can probably guess, motorists weren't too happy about this news - and those who have already tried out the new speed limiters have already voiced their concerns.

The laws surrounding this change were originally introduced by the EU back in 2022, but a lot of cars across the continent are already now fitted with this speed limiting technology.

Although people can't complain about the fact cars fitted with ISA will make our streets safer and reduce the number of speeding-related incidents, not everyone is a huge fan of how the system operates.

All cars made in the EU from 7 July will be kitted out with the technology (Getty Stock Image)

In a Reddit thread discussing its introduction in the UK, one person suggested that some aspects of the speed limiters might actually make driving 'more dangerous'.

Pointing out an issue with people overriding the system by pushing hard on the throttle, one user said: "Problem with this is that on powerful cars it means you’d be going from 10% throttle to 100% immediately, which is arguably more dangerous."

Another person who was concerned about the same topic had a different view of the situation though and said: "This, coupled with the regular insanity of people's decision making makes me slightly glad this stuff is coming in, as in my mind it'll hit this uninformed driver demographic hardest."

While a third raised concerns about Brits getting penalised for mistakes that the technology might make, such as the system not reading the speed of the road accurately.

Motorists aren't convinced the speed system will work well in practice (Getty Stock Image)

They wrote: "And what happens when GPS - which isn't that accurate for public use - gets the wrong speed limit, who's fault is that?"

A fourth explained that their employer had recently purchased a fleet of cars which 'assist way too much' and have mod cons that are a hindrance rather than a help - while he reckons the ISA system will actually make him a lazier driver.

They said: "Work recently got new cars that assist way to much. Even without the adaptive cruise enabled it will break for you well in advance, not the emergency breaking just normal breaks.

"It assists so much I actually find I'm less attentive when driving it than I would be otherwise if I had to drive fully myself."

While a fifth simply explained they didn't have much faith in the speed limiters sticking around for long, adding: "It will be bypassed in no time and to be fair not everyone wants to drive brand new cars for various reasons."