by Speed Control System in Cars Causes Driver Outrage
Modern cars are equipped with many useful features, but some innovations evoke anything but enthusiasm from buyers. A prime example is the situation in Europe and the UK, where a law that came into effect last year is causing increasing dissatisfaction behind the wheel.
Key points of the situation:
Even a slight exceeding of the limit by 1-2 miles per hour in some areas triggers the audible warning. Honda owners find this system particularly irritating, and one of them has found a workaround. The problem is that this method is not a universal solution for everyone.
A System Nobody Asked For
This refers to the Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) system, mandatory for all new cars in the EU since July 2024. It provides audio and visual notifications when the speed is exceeded. The implementation of this system by Honda has turned out to be the strictest among all manufacturers and, according to reports, has become even stricter since last year.
A Civic owner in the UK, who recently purchased an updated 2025 model, shared his initial disappointment on Reddit. According to him, the constant beeping made the hour-long drive home from the dealership twice as long.
Warnings are triggered as soon as the limit is exceeded by 1-2 mph. Unlike some competitors, Honda does not offer a simple button or steering wheel combination to disable them. Moreover, the procedure for disabling the function may differ for various Honda models or may not be available at all.
Differences Between Models and a Complicated Workaround
Owners of 2024 models (pre-update) report being able to disable traffic sign recognition through the vehicle’s settings. However, it’s important to note that this procedure needs to be repeated for every trip. This means that after any short stop – for refueling, picking up food, or dropping off a passenger – you need to go back into the menu and turn off the signals again.
However, in the updated 2025 models, this option seems to have disappeared completely. This is where the workaround found by the Reddit post author came in handy. He discovered that disabling the Honda navigation app stops traffic sign recognition and, accordingly, the audible beeps. Of course, this also blocks the operation of Android Auto and third-party navigation apps like Waze. Note that Apple CarPlay continues to function in this case.
Unfortunately for those annoyed by it, the ISA system does not seem to be going away anytime soon. In this regard, drivers who regularly plan to exceed the speed limit will have to continue searching for their own workarounds.
The situation with the ISA system in Honda cars points to a broader trend in the automotive industry, where regulatory requirements sometimes conflict with the habits and preferences of end consumers. While the goal – improving road safety – is noble, the method of achieving it causes significant inconvenience. This raises questions about the balance between technological intervention in the driving process and driver freedom, as well as how different manufacturers interpret the same legislative norms. Such cases often become a catalyst for dialogue between owners, manufacturers, and regulators, which in the future may lead to more flexible and convenient solutions without compromising safety.
