Drivers in Leeds will pilot a speed limit scheme

The research, piloted by the University of Leeds and a motor industry research panel have modified 20 cars to examine how driving changes when they use vehicles which detect and adhere to speed limits.

The trials will consider driver behaviour both with, and without, the speed limiters in vehicles using global positioning technology which tells the car where it is, and what the speed limit is.

Each time the limit on the road changes, the driver will be alerted to that change.

The accelerator pedal then vibrates when the limit is reached and the car cannot exceed the limit - unless the driver opts out of the system by braking, stopping or accelerating.

We're not planning to make the use of speed limiting technology mandatory, but we're keen to see what we can learn from this trial Road safety minister David Jamieson

Driver opt-outs are allowed by using buttons on the steering wheel of using an over-ride kick down on the accelerator pedal.

David Jamieson, Road Safety Minister said: "We're not planning to make the use of speed limiting technology mandatory, but we're keen to see what we can learn from this trial."

Earlier research suggested that vehicles using an "intelligent speed limiter" with a driver-select function could reduce fatal accidents by 19% and injury accidents by 10%.