A device for automatically controlling vehicle speed, including a processor. In one embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine whether a first local required speed is greater than a second local required speed, and only if the first local required speed is greater than the second local required speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to a new set vehicle speed. In another embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on a change in local required speed and a current set vehicle speed, and only if the current set vehicle speed is greater than the determined new set vehicle speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.