Hello everyone! Today, we’re diving into some fascinating news that’s going to impact drivers all across the EU. Get ready for a major change, as all cars in the EU are now required to be fitted with Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems.
This cutting-edge technology uses AI, GPS, and onboard cameras to monitor your speed in real-time. If you happen to be going too fast, the system will step in to slow you down. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, doesn’t it?
So, here’s how it works. The ISA system assesses your speed and checks it against the speed limit of the road you’re on. This involves reading road signs and markings to determine if you’re in a 20mph or 30mph zone, for instance. There are three types of ISA systems that car manufacturers can choose from, each with different levels of intervention.
First, we have the informative ISA. This one simply warns you with a sound or message if you’re speeding. Next up is the supportive ISA, which adds resistance to the accelerator pedal, making it harder to press down and speed up. The most advanced type is the intervening ISA. This system actively slows the car down if you exceed the speed limit, regardless of what you’re doing with the pedals.
Now, you might be wondering how this works without causing sudden stops. The system temporarily reduces engine power rather than slamming on the brakes, ensuring a smooth and safe deceleration. This law is now in force across all EU member states. But here’s a twist for our friends in the UK: they’ve opted out of this requirement post-Brexit.
Even though the UK isn’t legally bound to fit these systems, manufacturers will still install them because it’s impractical to design different cars for different markets. However, in Great Britain, you’ll have the option to turn off the ISA or override it by pressing the accelerator. But drivers in Northern Ireland will need to adhere to the EU rules, as it aligns with the EU single market under the Windsor Framework.
Speaking of AI tech, there’s more coming to UK roads. New AI speed cameras can now peer inside your car to check if you’re wearing a seatbelt or using a phone. These cameras use multiple lenses and AI to analyze images and detect offenses. If they catch anything, they’ll send the images straight to the police. This could mean more fines, points on your license, or even driving bans for offenses that might have previously gone unnoticed.
A trial of these AI cameras in Cornwall saw 300 drivers caught in just three days. Similar trials in Greater Manchester, Sussex, and Durham have also been successful. The RAC supports this move, emphasizing that it will make roads safer by catching more lawbreakers.
Rod Dennis from the RAC stated, “AI-equipped cameras that can automatically detect drivers breaking the law offer a chance for the tide to be turned. The police can’t be everywhere all of the time, so it makes sense that forces look to the best available technology that can help them catch drivers acting illegally.”