Speed Limiters

My new Nissan Qashqai Acenta has a brilliant Active Speed Limitation Function (ASLF) aka Speed Limiation Assistance (SLA) which I've used at every speed for a month now. For example on a 30mph road you set the speed limiter to 30mph and it will stop you going above 30mph unless you floor the accelerator pedal. Going from 30mph onto a 40mph speed limit road a single click sets the speed limiter to 40mph. It has transformed the way I and Sharon drive! Less chance to get speeding tickets or cause an accident by driving too fast!!

ASLF are defined (para. 4.2) by Euro NCAP as Adjustable Speed Limitation Function. ASLF means a function which allows the driver to set a vehicle speed Vadj, to which he wishes the speed of his car to be limited or above which he wishes to be warned. Vadj – Adjustable limit speed Vadj means the speed voluntarily set by the driver. Active ASLF means an ASLF which, when activated, requires the driver to make a positive action in order to exceed Vadj.

Euro NCAP says "In 2009, French carmakers made tackling speeding drivers their priority. Citroen, Peugeot and Renault as well as new premium brand in Europe Infiniti were rewarded by Euro NCAP for their fitment of a driver controlled speed limitation device. In cars: Citroen C3, Peugeot 3008, 308 CC, 5008, the Renault Grand Scenic and Infiniti FX. Speed limits are intended to keep traffic speeds below the maximum that is appropriate, ensuring the safety of motorists and other road users."

The only other supermini / small family car / small MPV I've found that has a speed limiter fitted as standard is the Renault Clio Dynamique 1.6.

The Mazda 2 Sport has a speed alarm fitted. I've test driven this car and the alarm can only be set for one speed limit eg 30mph. I think I'd tend to ignor the alarm more often than not!

Euro NCAP also quote Research (pg 3) carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory that has shown that at 25% above the average speed, a driver is six times more likely to have an accident than a driver travelling at the average speed.

From 2009 Euro NCAP have given max. 1 point or 14% (out of 7 points) for Speed Limitation Devices in the Safety Assist section. Details section 4 - Euro NCAP February 2010 v 5.2 Safety Assist.
It seems that the extra 0.1 for "can system be set at speed" is essential - so 0.9 points is minimum I'd personally accept (my Nissan Qashqai would possibly score 1.0 points if tested by Euro NCAP)