17:18 07-07-2026

EU Wants New Cars to Cut Their Own Power When Drivers Speed

Brussels is exploring a system that would limit engine power via satellites, maps and cameras. Supporters see fewer deaths; critics warn of errors and privacy risks.

The European Commission is weighing a new stage of speed control in cars. According to The Telegraph, the EU is studying a system that would not merely warn a driver about speeding but automatically limit the power of the engine or electric motor.

The technology would rely on satellite navigation, digital maps, 5G signals and traffic-sign recognition cameras. If a car enters a zone with a lower limit, the electronics could stop it from accelerating beyond the permitted speed. For emergencies, a temporary override is being considered so the driver can briefly speed up.

Since July 2024, every new car sold in the EU has been required to have Intelligent Speed Assistance. But today's ISA only warns about speeding with a sound, a steering-wheel vibration or a message on the dash, and the driver can still ignore it. The new idea is different because the system would actually intervene in how the car moves.

The project has both supporters and critics. Safety groups argue a limiter could reduce serious crashes, since speed remains one of the main causes of fatal accidents, and backers estimate it could cut road deaths by nearly 20%. Opponents point to the risk of errors: outdated maps, misread signs or a GPS glitch could make a car slow down unexpectedly. Questions of cybersecurity and privacy are also on the table.

For now this is only preliminary work, and the European Commission itself calls the idea purely exploratory. If approved, it could become mandatory for new cars in the EU around 2030.