Renault, the French car manufacturer, has announced plans to install speed limiters on one of its most popular small models, the Clio, as part of its new ‘Human First’ initiative aimed at improving road safety.
The speed limiters will restrict the top speed of the Clio superminis to 68mph, 2mph below the national motorway speed limit in the UK. This feature, called the ‘safety car’ package, is currently available only in France, but there may be plans to offer it in the UK, This is Money has learned.
Renault is introducing the technology in response to the slowing decline in road fatalities since 2010. The company cited that more than half of fatal accidents related to speeding involve drivers under the age of 35.
All new Renault cars sold from 2022 already come with automatic limiters that prevent the vehicles from exceeding 112mph. Last year, Renault also introduced a system that monitors drivers’ performance, deducting points for behaviors like speeding, tailgating, or drifting between lanes. However, the speed limiter will only be available for the Clio due to its popularity among new and learner drivers.
The speed limiter, which limits the vehicle’s maximum speed to 110 km/h (68mph), is reversible. Owners can deactivate it at a later date, though they will need to visit a Renault dealer to have the system removed. The technology limits the vehicle’s speed setting, cruise control, and adjustable speed limiter to 68mph by default, while still allowing drivers to use cruise control and adjust the speed limiter, as long as the set speed doesn’t exceed the limit.
At €59 (around £50), the installation of the speed limiter could be an attractive option for parents wanting to impose restrictions on their children’s driving. It may also lead to lower insurance premiums for drivers, as it reduces the risk of speeding.
Currently, the system is only available in France, though Renault is considering offering it in the UK. A spokesperson for the company said the potential for the UK market is still under evaluation.
In addition to the speed limiter, Renault has introduced other technologies to improve driving standards. Last year, the company launched its ‘Safety Score’ feature, which gives drivers a personalized rating out of 100 based on their driving behavior. The score aims to encourage safe driving by allowing drivers to compete for the best ratings. Points are deducted if any of the vehicle’s Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as lane assist, automated emergency braking (AEB), or drowsiness alerts, are triggered.
Renault’s Safety Score is linked to the Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) system, which alerts drivers when they exceed speed limits. This feature has been available on all new Renault models since 2024, including in the UK. The Safety Score could be used by drivers to secure lower insurance premiums, similar to ‘black box’ telematics policies, which are often used by younger drivers to reduce insurance costs.
While it is unclear if Renault’s Safety Score can be shared with insurers, the company has emphasized that the feature is designed to promote a positive attitude toward safe driving, rather than to punish drivers for mistakes.
