A £2 million Government-funded trial is testing the use of satellite systems that monitor the speed limit of drivers.

According to a report in The Sunday Times, the systems can apply the brakes or cut out the accelerator if the driver tries to exceed the speed limit.

Drivers in London could be among the first to use the systems and could be offered a discount on congestion charging as a result.

It follows a six-month trial using 20 vehicles in Leeds, where it was found drivers paid more attention as well as keeping to the speed limit.

It is part of a two-year £2 million research project into ‘intelligent speed adaptation’ funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).