Fleets should prepare drivers now for the fact that intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology will come as standard on some new cars, vans and trucks within a year.
All new cars and vans given type approval from May 2022 onwards will have ISA fitted while those already on sale must comply by May 2024, under new EU legislation that also applies to the UK.
And with the long lead times currently being experienced by fleet operators – FleetCheck reported earlier this year that operators are facing “worst-ever” vehicle delays – vehicles being ordered within the next few months will potentially arrive with ISA fitment, so this is very close to being a live fleet issue.
Peter Golding, managing director at fleet management software specialist FleetCheck, said that the move should be seen as significant opportunity to enforce a safety message on speed.
“Thankfully, macho attitudes towards speeding that were once quite common among drivers of company vehicles have reduced considerably in recent years. However, speeding tickets are still pretty common, as any fleet manager will tell you.
“Our view is that the introduction of ISA technology is a moment that employers should be seizing as an opportunity to make clear that there is no corporate leeway when it comes to speeding and the dangers it represents.
“The way in which the new devices work mean that drivers need to make a conscious decision to break the law by squeezing the accelerator and there is simply no good reason for that to happen. With the first ISA cars, vans and trucks now less than a year away, this is a good moment to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to excessive speed.”
Golding added that the best way to get drivers onboard is to present the new tech as a genuine benefit.
“Firstly, these are safer vehicles – reduced speed means fewer accident and fewer serious accidents. Secondly, it will potentially remove the chance of you picking up a speeding ticket.
“Research undertaken by the EU shows that drivers like ISA-equipped cars because, in everyday driving, sticking to the speed limit becomes one less thing to worry about. We are sure that this will soon become the case among drivers of company vehicles.”
