The majority of drivers in the UK are unhappy with the EU and UK government’s decision to make speed limiters mandatory in Europe from 2022, according to CLM Fleet Management, part of the Maxxia Group.
The European Commission provisionally agreed a plan to implement the limiters in March, with the UK announcing it would be following suit regardless of the impending withdrawal from the EU.
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CLM’s survey of almost 300 UK motorists found that 46% thought the introduction of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems was a bad idea, while 54% would avoid purchasing a car with the technology altogether.
Six in 10 respondents felt that the limiters were excessively controlling and fell under the umbrella of ‘big brother’ behaviour. A further 68% of survey participants expect drivers to just turn them off for every journey, rendering the technology useless.
For fleet managers, CLM said the introduction of ISA systems will be a key factor in avoiding withdrawals from company car schemes and maintaining trust.
Despite the resistance to the legislation, 45% of surveyed drivers agreed that the introduction of the ISAs would have positive effect on road safety.
John Lawrence, managing director at CLM Fleet Management: “ISA has some clear benefits, not only from a safety perspective, but also when it comes to licence preservation. The technology can pick up accurate speed limits, potentially reducing speeding fines and penalties. This could be good news for the ‘road warrior’ community who are completely reliant on having their licences intact to make a living.
“However, for fleet managers looking to implement the technology our findings suggest it could be a difficult path ahead. Forcing the technology on drivers could prompt a backlash and damage fleet engagement. If this technology is to be successful, firms should consider a period of driver communication and consultation. This will allow them to both understand concerns and promote the potential benefits of ISA.”
