Starsector 0.97a is out! (02/02/24); New blog post: Simulator Enhancements (03/13/24)
Would make more sense if any time your engines are disabled max speed was reset to default maximum.
I do this sometimes intentionally to disengage stations with odyssey. Ram the station with plasma burn, overload the shields and flame out and spin off the end of the map faster than the stations projectiles can keep up with you.