The European Commission has made the announcement that new EU Vehicle General Safety regulations have been implemented. This step aims to save more than 25,000 lives and prevent about 140,000 severe injuries by 2038.
In order to increase road safety, it makes the installation of sophisticated driver aid systems a requirement for new cars, and it creates the legal foundation necessary for the EU to approve automated and completely autonomous cars.
The new safety measures will help protect passengers better, pedestrians and cyclists across the EU, saving over 25,000 lives and avoiding at least 140,000 severe injuries by 2038.
The General Safety Regulation’s entry into force gives the Commission the authority to finish the legal framework for automated and connected cars, and this summer, the Commission will provide technical regulations for the authorisation of completely driverless vehicles, making the EU a leader in the industry. These will aid in boosting innovation, boosting public trust, and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe’s auto sector.
Margrethe Vestager, who is the Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, highlighted in the statement: “Technology helps us to increase the level of safety of our cars.
He also stated, the new, more sophisticated safety measures that are now required will significantly aid in lowering the number of fatalities. Currently, they are working to ensure that rules and regulations will allow to introduce driverless and autonomous cars into the EU in a manner that prioritizes people’s safety.
In charge of the Internal Market, Commissioner Thierry Breton mentioned: “Speed assistance, lane keeping and automated braking systems – our vehicles are increasingly automated.
He further said, with the implementation of new vehicle safety regulations starting today, Europe is ensuring that technology improves the quality of life for its citizens and that the automotive sector has a stable and secure environment in which to continue developing cutting-edge technological solutions and retaining its position as a global leader.
General safety rules introducing safety features to assist the driver include:
• For all road vehicles (cars, vans, trucks and buses): intelligent speed assistance, reversing detection with camera or sensors, attention warning in case of driver drowsiness or distraction, event data recorders as well as an emergency stop signal;
• For cars as well as vans: Additional features such as lane keeping systems and automated braking;
• For buses as well as trucks: technologies for better recognising possible blind spots, warnings to prevent collisions with pedestrians or cyclists and tyre pressure monitoring systems.
From this day forward, new vehicle types will be subject to the restrictions, and starting on July 7, 2024, all new vehicles will as well. Up to 2029, some of the new regulations will be extended to cover various types of road vehicles.
