The EU is considering the long term introduction of devices that will apply vehicle brakes should a car go over the speed limit under new road safety measures.

New cars would be fitted with camera systems that read the limits displayed on road signs and automatically apply the brakes to match. There are even ideas to retro fit all cars with the technology so no one could break the speed limit.
However, it is thought that member state Transport Ministers will strongly oppose the move due the potential public backlash about loss of freedom.

The new measures have been announced by the European Commission’s Mobility and Transport Department as part of the drive to reduce the 30,000 annual European road deaths each year.

The potential system could work either using satellites, which would communicate limits to cars automatically, or using cameras to read digital road signs. Drivers could then be given a warning of the speed limit and if ignored their speed could be controlled automatically.

A European Commission spokesman has said, “There is a currently consultation focusing on speed-limiting technology already fitted to HGVs and buses. Taking account of the results, the Commission will publish in the autumn a document by its technical experts.”