Our Campaign

Intervening ISA is a small aftermarket device fitted to a vehicle which uses speed-limit data and GPS and/or sign recognition to prevent acceleration beyond the posted speed limit. Rather than causing a vehicle to brake suddenly or remove driver control, it manages throttle input so the vehicle cannot continue accelerating unlawfully. In case of emergency, it allows a short override which is then logged by the device. Unlike passive ISA, it changes behaviour in real time. Repeat speeding offenders would be offered the chance to use an intervening ISA device as an alternative to a driving ban, with costs covered by the offender. Any attempt to remove the device or drive another car would reactivate their ban.

Intervening ISA is designed for repeat and high-risk offenders rather than routine use across the wider driving population. Evidence already points to strong results: Transport for London found ISA-equipped buses complied with speed limits 97–99% of the time, while intervening ISA fitted to TfL fleet vehicles cut speeding incidents by 62%.

It also offers courts and offenders a more credible alternative to a simple ban: repeat speeders can avoid a ban, continuing instead to work and meet family responsibilities – but only under safe, strict speed control. That makes it both a road safety intervention and a cost-neutral, practical compliance tool. However, it is not currently possible to even trial the use of intervening ISA for repeat offenders, as this would require primary legislation.

We are therefore calling on MPs and the Government to support legislation to allow a UK trial of intervening ISA for repeat speeding offenders. The clearest route towards widespread adoption of intervening ISA is a statutory pilot enabling courts and the DVLA to require intervening ISA as a condition of keeping or regaining a licence for defined categories of offender.

Primary legislation should establish the pilot and the legal power to impose the device; secondary legislation and guidance should then set eligibility, duration, monitoring, device standards and privacy safeguards.