The RAC is backing the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign and calling on the Labour government to introduce new speed limiter technology in cars. The proposed Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance (IISA) system would prevent vehicles from exceeding the 70mph motorway limit, targeting four specific groups of drivers.
How the Speed Limiter Works
IISA is a small device fitted to a vehicle that uses speed-limit data, GPS, and sign recognition to identify the legal limit. It does not slam on the brakes or remove driver control; it simply stops continued acceleration above the limit. The vehicle can be driven normally up to the speed limit, but once reached, the system manages throttle input to prevent unlawful acceleration.
RAC's Call for Action
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Our analysis shows some of the frankly chilling speeds some people are prepared to drive at – and these are just the cases the police are aware of. The fact that some were recorded in residential areas, even near schools, in daytime hours underlines just how dangerous this kind of behaviour is.” He added: “The latest official data shows there were more than 300 fatal collisions in just one year where speeding was a factor – tragedies which are, on the whole, entirely avoidable.”
Target Groups for the Trial
The RAC wants a trial focusing on four defined high-risk groups: repeat speeding offenders, serious speeding offenders, drivers who reach 12 or more penalty points but avoid disqualification, and drivers seeking to regain or retain a licence under strict conditions.
Police Support
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “The fact that a majority of drivers now believe there is a culture where speeding is acceptable reflects a deeply embedded issue in driver behaviour. We must reset expectations and make it clear that safe, lawful driving is a shared responsibility.”
Next Steps
Dennis concluded: “We very much look forward to the Government’s response to its consultations on the Road Safety Strategy. New casualty reduction targets and an update to councils on setting local speeds are welcome, but a greater focus tackling the problem of excessive speeding and repeat offending is also desperately needed.”
