What is a Speed Limiter?

A speed limiter is an electronic device used to limit the top speed of a vehicle to a preset driving speed. A speed limiter is a safety device that is incorporated in a vehicle, and by using the navigation data from GPS and road signs, it will detect the speed limit and will alert the driver if he goes any faster before taking measures to reduce the driving speed. Even though a number of vehicles have a form of speed limiter, from the 2022 summer and beyond, all cars must have this kind of technology. It is not the same concept with cruise control, though, as the vehicle doesn’t maintain a set speed. It simply doesn’t accelerate beyond a preset speed, even though the driver can press the accelerator.

How Do Speed Limiters Work?

Speed limiters are based on electronic systems that detect the driving speed limits and informs the driver if he goes faster than that, giving him a few seconds window to slow down. If the driver doesn’t slow down according to the proper speed limit, the speed limiter will slow the car. Most of the time by limiting the vehicle’s engine power. This is a better approach than using the brakes, since the vehicle slows down gradually without any risk of putting in danger any following vehicle. There are some other options to achieve the speed limitation; reducing the engine’s power that was already mentioned is the most common, some visual signs or audio messages are one possibility and even some vibrations or any other kind of tactile sensation on the acceleration pedal that would inform the driver that he goes faster than the limit.

Types of Speed Limiters.

• The speed limiters are separated into three major categories. The adjustable, the Intelligent and the fixed ones. The adjustable speed limiters are the most common and standard in most modern cars and are adjusted by the driver. This offers a driving experience inside the desired speed limits, upgrading the driving experience. The driver can override the speed limiter whenever he desires by pressing the accelerator hard.

• The most modern type are the Intelligent Speed limiters. These newer advanced speed limiters use modern electronics, and they limit the speed by using the real-time location and road speed limits. This way, the limiter adjusts the speed automatically when the vehicle is moving in a different speed limit zone. Emergency service vehicles use this kind of speed limiter because of their ability to adjust the top speed depending on the situation in which the vehicle is involved.

• One should not forget the Fixed Speed limiters. In many countries, car manufacturers limit the top speed in both passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles. It is common to see a warning sticker placed on the rear of a heavy vehicle informing the following drivers about the top speed of the specific vehicle.

Why Should Someone Remove the Speed Limiter?

Although Speed Limiters are placed to boost safety, there are a few reasons one could remove them. The most common reason for removing new types of speed limiters is either that the specific limiter does not match with the permitted speed in the country. Imagine a driver has a car with a speed limit of 100 km/h, but the permitted limit is 120 km/h. This car could be a good candidate to have its speed limiter removed. Tuning up a car either for personal reasons or better for race use is another reason that could lead to speed limiter removal. By tuning up an engine and gaining more power, it is obvious that the limiter would be an obstacle in achieving the desired potentials. In order to achieve the maximum speed, the tuned car needs to have its speed limiter removed for breaking a speed limit or competing in a race.

Closing.

Speed limiters pose a safety feature in cars. They are keeping the speed limits under control, preventing a lot of car accidents. In merchant fleets, heavy vehicles use speed limiters to keep the fuel consumption of their vehicles under control. Also, drivers that use a speed limiter are protected from exceeding the allowed top speed. Ensuring limiters will regulate the speed. This way, the driver’s focus is not taken away from the road. Removing or not the speed limiter is a personal decision that has to do with the vehicle’s usage and drivers preferences.