What drivers of older vehicles need to know about new speed limit law that will 'change how we drive'

Have you been toting about in your old, trusted car for years and are now in need of a newer model? Then you’re going to need to know what the upcoming law on speeding is and how it’ll impact your driving.

If you’re privy to driving over the speed limit every now and again and have been crafty with dodging speed cameras, welcome to your worst nightmare.

Big changes are coming. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

From 7 July every single car created in the European Union will be automatically fitted with mandatory Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA).

But if you thought you’d get a slap on the wrist, you’re wrong.

Touted as something that will 'change the way we drive', UK drivers can now expect any new cars purchased from the implementation date to come with a speed limiter automatically fitted.

If you’re sat there wondering why EU laws will impact the UK, it’s because most of our cars are still manufactured overseas and so will need to adhere to their laws.

Plus, the UK has maintained some EU laws for new cars since Brexit, and this one is no exception.

According to government research, nearly half of all British drivers have sped on motorways and thanks to the popular 10 percent myth, it’s probably higher than that.

But experts think this will stop collisions on the road so you can’t fault them for trying.

So, how do these new cars work?

If you're buying a new car in the future, you need to know what it comes with. (Getty Stock Images)

According to WeBuyAnyCar, the tech will either be a ISA system, which relies on cameras to detect traffic signs, or GPS technology which works by combining information on the driver's location with the local speed limit.

Or it could use both systems.

If you’re wondering which it’ll use, it’s all down to these three things: advisory, supportive or intervening.

Either an advisory ISA will chuck you a warning symbol if you exceed the speed limit, a supportive system will increase upward pressure on the accelerator pedal, so it’s difficult to speed or a mandatory speed assist will reduce engine power if you are speeding, so your car slowly slows down.

Now, if you think you can just switch it off… there’s some bad news to come.

The speed assist will track how fast you're going. (Getty Stock Images)

Basically, you can in fact turn it off, but it’ll reset itself each time you restart your car.

If you buy yourself a pretty new car and try to override the system by slamming your accelerator, you’re committing a criminal offence as it’s illegal.

Not only will you not be able to thwart the system manually, there are backups in place to catch you up.

For example, some ISA systems will also be fitted with Data Loggers which can be retrieved by insurers if you’re in an accident to see how you were driving around that time.

They can also be used for prosecution.

So, if you’re browsing the internet or local car dealers to find your new model in the next few years, you should understand that you can’t mow down the road like you’re Schumacher anymore. They’ll know.