Attention, UK drivers! Get ready for a significant change in the automotive landscape. Starting on July 7th, our cars will be fitted with a whole new slew of tech that will help keep us from breaking the speed limits. All of this, of course, is down to some “pass me that piece of legislation, mate” action; our domestic powers that legislate for speed limits on UK roads have fine-tuned the formula on what keeps us safe. The EU version of that, apparently, is excellent, too. So here we are – me, you, the metric system, and a bunch of speed limiters in cars.

What is the story with these brand new digital backseat drivers called Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) systems? They come in three different types: advisory, supportive, and intervening, and each one interacts with the driver in its own way. Imagine a trio of Goldilocks; one’s too soft, one’s just right, and one’s ready to jump in and take more control. Which of the three is likely to help fight speeding on our roads? And are there good reasons to believe that any of them can also keep us even safer?
In contrast to those two systems, an ISA that includes the “supportive” and “intervening” features is a lot more like having a too-watchful driving instructor riding in the passenger’s seat. The idea is to give the driver instant feedback based on the speed limit, and (indirectly, at least) to improve not just the speed but also the fuel economy of today’s street-car engines. In fact, ISA technology could have such a profound impact on our means of getting around that it has raised more than a few legal and ethical questions.
These technological baby-sitters have both speed sign and GPS systems that monitor and determine how fast the car is traveling. It’s as if the car is endowed with a conscience and the deep respect for the law that some humans apparently lack. This isn’t just for new cars. All vehicles that eventually make it on the road are required to “have an ISA system in place before they are sold.” You can’t buy or lease a new or used car without one retrofitted first.
“And here’s another lovely thing: these systems are already in place. They are being enforced on the streets daily. Road is straight and you’re cruising along? Speed up enough and the treasure trove has your excess speed.”
Don’t worry, enthusiasts of pre-owned vehicles! If you are selling your old and reliable ride, you are in the clear. This law only applies to the sale of new cars, so your classic street machine can remain blessedly ignorant of all speed limits. In the big picture, this change is not just about bringing down the speeds of racing vehicles, though. It is part of a larger, society-wide push toward safer, more regulated motor vehicles of all kinds. And with traffic as bad as it is, how often do most of us get to truly “put the pedal to the metal,” anyway?
And that’s what it’s all about—the future of driving in Britain: a car that’s constantly observing, constantly making appraisals, and every now and then taking the wheel from your eager accelerator. It’s the UK’s intimation machine, revolutionizing mobility, the enabler for compatibility, and the instigator of cooperative digital consciences among cars that will soon populate our roads. “Intimations of a Kinetic Future.”