Volvo set to limit all new cars to 112mph by 2020

Published 04 March 2019

Volvo is liming the speed for all its cars to 112mph to 'send a strong signal' about the dangers of speeding.

The move is part of the firm's Vision 2020, which aims for no one to be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020. It says that technology alone will not get it all the way to zero, so it's now broadening its scope to include a focus on driver behaviour.

New legislation is expected to be introduced by the European Union which could see mandatory speed limiters fitted to all new cars within the next three years. These will be linked to GPS, which will adjust the limiter depending on the speed limit for the road being driven on.

>>> Speed limiters and black boxes to be fitted to all new cars within three years

Although the UK is expected to have left the European Union by the time such legislation is introduced, car manufacturers are unlikely to remove speed limiters in the UK. Most Japanese domestic market vehicles are already limited to 112mph.

As well as limiting top speeds, Volvo is considering how geofencing technology, which could lower speeds in areas such as around schools and hospitals.

“We want to start a conversation about whether car makers have the right or maybe even an obligation to install technology in cars that changes their driver’s behaviour, to tackle things such as speeding, intoxication or distraction,” said Volvo's chief executive, Hakan Samuelsson.

“We don’t have a firm answer to this question, but believe we should take leadership in the discussion and be a pioneer.”

Volvo says that drivers don't understand the dangers of speed. Above certain speeds, in-car technology isn't enough to prevent severe injuries or fatalities.

Comments

mmmmm on 4 March 2019

There is not nor should not be a reasonable person anywhere who would not desire lower injury/death rates on the road. That said, what consideration would there be for those drivers who buy/run performance cars and only exploit their capabilities on private land/and or racing tracks?.

Drivers in continental Europe have the legal right to drive at high speed, albeit with great care and responsibility.

Is the only arbiter of this particular number (112mph), the fact that it is already in place in Japan?. What country specific points of view, led to this number being used in Japan?.

Are the points taken into consideration in Japan, wholly relevant in Europe?. It is perfectly possible, even probable to kill/life change someone at 40mph...does that then become the new speed limit and how does this work on motorways, where UK business carries out the day to day work of this nation?.

Will the automotive lobby, some of whom only produce cars that are bought purely for their performance potential, make it clear behind the scenes, via the lobby option, that they will fight this proposed legislation, with every breath in their collective bodies?.

Volvo must be commended and lauded for their stand on automotive safety, going back many decades and resulting in the introduction of the three point lap and diagonal seatbelt (1959), among many other firsts...but this may be a calculation too far. If this is designed to be a conversation starter, then all well and good, but if this is meant in earnest and Volvo seek to carry out this idea to fruition, they may well find that they isolate their brand, with consequential losses in sales and respect for all they have done before.

Comments please...

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