Driving changes and rules of the road to know next year - from headlights to speed limiters

The New Year is just days away, which usually means a whole host of new rules will soon be coming into effect, and this year is no different.

Drivers will need to be up to speed on the new road rules straight after their New Year’s Eve celebration if they are to avoid any unwanted fines or penalties.

The new measures, set to come into effect in 2022, range from speed limiters to the use of your lights.

Speed limiters

If you are planning on purchasing a new car in the latter half of 2022, this rule will apply to you.

A decision made by the EU parliament will mean that all new cars will be prevented from going fast by being fitted with speed limiters.

Truckers on the N7 Dublin this morning. A group of truckers and hauliers are leading convoys from the main motorways around Dublin into the city centre today protesting for lower fuel costs at the pump and at home. (Collins Photos)

The speed limiter device uses GPS data and sign recognition cameras to detect speed limits on the road and sounds a warning to automatically slow the car down if it is exceeding the limit.

The European Commission has provisionally mandated that all new vehicles sold in Europe will be fitted with a speed limiter from July 2022.

The speed limiters will be installed in cars, vans, trucks and buses, except for motorcycles.

Speed limiters use Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology, which uses either a video or GPS system to detect speed signs and alert drivers if they are going too fast.

If the driver doesn’t slow their speed, the vehicle will intervene and do it for them.

The system doesn’t affect the car’s braking system, though after a series of alerts, if the driver doesn’t apply the brakes, the vehicle reduces power to the engine.

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The car will then naturally slow down to the speed limit.

However, the system can be overridden if you need a burst of power to overtake another vehicle.

Dipped headlights

Last month, gardai announced the introduction of a new rule for dipped headlights.

As the days became shorter and darkness arrived earlier, gardai reminded motorists that dipped headlights are now required to be used before 5pm, where previously it was 6pm.

Gardaí attached to the Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow units said: "We're all more conscious of saving electricity, but this does not include the proper and appropriate use of lights at night.”

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