EU Plans Automatic Speed Limiting for New Cars from 2030

The European Union is evaluating a regulation that could require all new cars sold from 2030 to automatically reduce engine power when a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit. The proposed system would combine GPS, satellite data, digital maps, cameras and other sensors to detect the applicable limit and intervene, while still allowing a short‑term manual override for overtaking or emergency manoeuvres.

Current Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems, mandatory in the EU since July 2024, only alert drivers with sounds, vibrations or pedal resistance. The new rule would move beyond alerts to active speed control. The EU has also mandated driver‑distraction cameras on new cars from July 2026 as part of a broader safety package aimed at reaching zero road deaths by 2050. Critics warn of possible inaccuracies due to outdated maps, misread signs or construction zones, which could lead to unsafe interventions.

The proposal is still under study and no final adoption date has been set.