Within three years cars sold in Europe will have automatic emergency braking and technology that spots when drivers are drowsy

All new cars will be fitted with devices that make sure they automatically keep to the speed limit in a move billed as the biggest overhaul of road safety in more than 50 years.

Within the next three years, models sold in Europe are expected to use technology that detects limits and slows down vehicles travelling too fast.

It will be one of 15 new safety features fitted as standard to cars, HGVs or buses. Other measures include technology that detects when drivers are losing concentration or falling asleep, a system that keeps cars in the centre of lanes and accident black boxes that record vehicle movements.

All cars will also be fitted with automatic emergency braking, which brings vehicles to a stop when pedestrians