THE march of automotive technology certainly brings benefits as can be judged by the recent announcement by Ford of an intelligent speed limiter.

The device will prevent drivers from inadvertently exceeding speed limits - both when driving in their own country and abroad.

Of course speed limiters are not new - drivers have for some time been able to set a maximum speed on some vehicles, but the idea has gone an important stage further.

The new Ford S-MAX sports activity vehicle - equipped with Intelligent Speed Limiter - can help ensure the maximum speed is automatically adjusted to remain within changing speed limits.

In 2013, 15,549 drivers in the UK were issued with fines of at least £100, and although there will always be a hard core of flagrant speeders, I am sure a large number were everyday drivers who took their eye off the ball for a few minutes.

And it has all come at an opportune time because UK has in the last two years increased the penalties for speeding, with UK drivers now facing a maximum £10,000 fine for exceeding the motorway limit.

Drivers can activate the Intelligent Speed Limiter via steering wheel controls to set a maximum vehicle speed.

The system uses a windscreen-mounted camera to monitor road signs and when the speed limit is lower than that maximum set speed, ISL slows the vehicle as required. As the speed limit rises, the system allows the driver to accelerate up to the set speed, providing it does not exceed the new speed limit.

It combines current Ford technologies Adjustable Speed Limiter, and Traffic Sign Recognition, which are both already available on models including Focus, all-new Mondeo, and Kuga SUV.

Effective at speeds of 20-120mph, Intelligent Speed Limiter ensures smooth deceleration by restricting the fuel supplied to the engine, rather than applying the brakes. Should travelling downhill cause the vehicle to exceed the specified speed an alarm is sounded.

The Intelligent Speed Limiter also communicates with the on-board navigation system to help accurately maintain the appropriate maximum speed.

To me this one of the most important pieces of automotive driver assistance for many years. It could cripple the much criticised cash inflow from speed cameras and make our roads both safer and fairer for all.