Speed-limiting trials to take place

Transport for London (TfL) is to trial a system that automatically limits vehicle speed.

The six-month evaluation of Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) technology is due to start in the summer. It will be tested on a London bus, with ongoing plans to fit the system to a licensed taxi and 20 other vehicles driven by road engineers, traffic managers and highways inspectors.

The system uses GPS technology that locates the vehicle on a digital map of London. It can then control the vehicle's engine management system to limit its speed to the local restriction.

Chris Lines, head of TfL's London Road Safety Unit, said: 'This innovative technology could help any driver in London avoid the unnecessary penalties of creeping over the speed limit, and at the same time it will save lives.'

'ISA is intended as a road safety device, but if Londoners embrace this technology we may well see additional benefits, including reduced congestion as a result of collisions, and reduced vehicle emissions as drivers adopt a smoother driving style.'

TfL says that Southwark council has already expressed an interest in fitting ISA to more than 300 of its vehicles.