All new cars sold in Europe – including the UK – must contain Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology from next month. The measure was first introduced for new models in July 2022 and has now been extended to all new cars.
SA requirements do not apply to vehicles already registered and in circulation before July 2024.
An ISA system is required to work with the driver and not restrict their ability to act at any moment while driving. The driver is always in control and can easily override the ISA system. Regulations gives car manufacturers four methods by which the car can provide feedback to the driver:
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Cascaded acoustic warning
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Cascaded vibrating warning
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Haptic feedback through the acceleration pedal
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Speed control function
The first two feedback options do not directly intervene but only provide warnings (first optic and if no response from the driver, a delayed acoustic/vibrating warning), which should be as short as possible in duration to avoid potential annoyance of the driver.
The other possible feedback relies on the pedal restoring force - it will push the driver’s foot gently back to make the driver aware and help to slow down. The driver can ignore this feedback and override the system by pushing slightly harder on the acceleration pedal. Even in the case of the speed control function, where the car speed will be automatically gently reduced, the driver can smoothly override the system by pressing the accelerator pedal a little bit deeper.
Many manufacturers have already started including factory-fitted ISA in some of their cars. Some have elected to go further than the mandatory requirements, limiting the top speed of certain models.
While the inclusion of ISA systems is mandatory, the driver can elect to turn it off at their discretion on a journey-by-journey basis.
BVRLA members and fleet operators should be aware of the change on new vehicles being received from next month. Vehicle handovers or employee training may need to be enhanced to cover the change and avoid confusion among drivers.
