In a method of controlling the speed of a vehicle, at least one vehicle traveling ahead in the same lane within a radar detection range is detected using a radar sensor and in which the transverse acceleration in the vehicle to be controlled is detected. Acceleration or a change in acceleration is limited in the vehicle to be controlled if, in addition to or instead of a transverse acceleration, it is evaluated that the vehicle to be controlled has reached the limit of the radar detection range and/or the vehicle traveling ahead has left the radar detection range when no change of lanes takes place.