Evaluation study on speed limitation devices : ex-post evaluation of Directive 92/6/EEC on the installation and use of speed limitation devices for certain categories of motor vehicles in the Community, as amended by Directive 2002/85/EC : final report

The installation of speed limiters and Intelligent Speed Adaption Systems (ISA) is believed to be an effective way to improve road safety and to reduce emissions and traffic noise. It addresses specifically unadapted driving speed, which is one of the main causes of traffic accidents, particularly on motorways. Speed policies can be regarded as being complementary to other policies that affect other causes of accidents or emissions, such as vehicle and energy technology, alcohol use or unsafe infrastructure. Directive 92/6/EEC required speed limitation devices to be installed on large Heavy Goods Vehicles HGVs and buses (N3 and M3 vehicles). In 2002, this "Speed Limitation Directive" was amended by Directive 2002/85/EC, which obliged all Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs), so also N2 and M2 vehicles, to be equipped with speed limiters. Directive 2002/85/EC requires the Commission to evaluate its road safety and traffic impacts. In this context, the European Commission commissioned Transport and Mobility Leuven, CE Delft, TRT and TNO to carry out this evaluation study.