The European Union has approved draft legislation that would require every new car sold in Europe starting in 2022 to include software meant to slow drivers down when they speed.

The "Intelligent Speed Assistance" software uses a combination of GPS, sign-recognition cameras, and maps to work out whether a vehicle is passing the local speed limit.

It is designed to automatically slow cars found to be speeding — but can be overridden by drivers.

EU legislators agreed to the proposal in principle on Monday evening, but further votes are required before it and several other requirements can become law.

The European Union has provisionally agreed to force every car sold in Europe starting in 2022 to include software designed to slow drivers down if they break the speed limit.

EU leaders on Monday agreed that every car, van, truck, and bus should be fitted with a feature called "Intelligent Speed Assistance" designed to slow them down if they go too fast.

The software uses a combination of GPS, sign-recognition cameras, and advanced map software to pinpoint a vehicle's location and the local speed limit. The software is designed to automatically slow down vehicles found to break the limit.

Drivers would be able to override the software by pushing hard on the accelerator.

The plans, set out by the European Commission in May, were signed off on by politicians from EU countries in the European Parliament and European Commission on Monday night.

The deal is provisional, however, and still subject to formal votes in the European Parliament and to approval by the EU's member states.

A police helicopter tracking a speeding vehicle in the East Midlands, UK. East Midland's Police

Depending on the politics in Britain, the UK may leave the European Union by the time the legislation takes effect.

The UK's Vehicle Certification Agency, however, said it would mirror EU car-safety standards for its vehicles and would most likely adopt the proposals.

Several other new safety features are included in the EU proposal.

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Vehicles under the proposal would also be required to have "Automated Emergency Braking" — designed to detect pedestrians and cyclists and brake accordingly.

The proposal also includes a rule meant to make it harder to drink and drive.

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The proposal would make it easier to retroactively add a built-in alcohol breathalyzer, called an alcohol interlock device, which won't let a car start until the driver has blown into it.

The proposed changes also include the addition of onboard "Electronic Data Recorders" meant to track data in the moments before a crash. The EU hopes this would make it easier to work out why crashes occur.