Skip to main content

Most EU motorists want legislation on vehicle data, says survey

The overwhelming majority of European road users want laws to protect their rights when it comes to the data their vehicle generates while driving. A new survey, by FIA Region I across 15 countries, found that 93% of motorists support the need for dedicated legislation to ensure their consumer rights and data protection. This is not to suggest that people have a problem with vehicle data per se – for example, 88% are happy to share remotely their location and vehicle status with roadside assistance provid
January 16, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
The overwhelming majority of European road users want laws to protect their rights when it comes to the data their vehicle generates while driving.


A new survey, by 8054 FIA Region I across 15 countries, found that 93% of motorists support the need for dedicated legislation to ensure their consumer rights and data protection.

This is not to suggest that people have a problem with vehicle data per se – for example, 88% are happy to share remotely their location and vehicle status with roadside assistance providers.

However, 64% are not in favour of letting their car synchronise phone contacts and emails, the organisation reveals.

The figures come ahead of an anticipated European Commission recommendation, expected before the end of March, which covers some of the issues around vehicle data and how it is accessed by third parties.

“Car connectivity should bring applications that improve the lives of road users,” says FIA Region I director general Laurianne Krid. “However, we need specific and legally binding rules to protect consumers and ensure vehicle and driver data are shared in a safe and reliable way. We call on the Commission to come forward with such a proposal as a matter of urgency.”

Related Content

  • Grey areas: who's legally responsible for C/AVs?
    October 22, 2018
    Connected and autonomous vehicles are an exciting development in the ITS sector – but amid the hype some big questions about their deployment remain unanswered, finds Ben Spencer Connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs) have the potential to change the way we travel - and to eliminate road fatalities. But policy makers and regulators will need to ensure user and public safety is included in future planning. The legal and insurance industries will have to catch up, too. For example, questions over who is
  • C-ITS in the EU: ‘It has got a little tribal recently’
    April 16, 2019
    As the C-ITS Delegated Act begins its journey through the European policy maze, Adam Hill looks at who is expecting what from this proposed framework for connected vehicles – and why some people are insisting that the lawmakers are already getting things wrong
  • Motorists want roads repaired before smart motorways, says survey
    December 5, 2014
    According to research by Bury-based online car supermarket JamJar Direct, which indicates that 47 per cent of Greater Manchester motorists claim to have been affected by the construction works, communications around the M60 smart motorway improvements are sorely lacking. Almost two thirds of Greater Manchester motorists (62 per cent) are aware that the M60 is being turned into a smart motorway, but over 40 per cent, equivalent to 81,000 vehicles per day using affected stretch of M60 between junctions 8 a
  • Commercial vehicle cross-border enforcement needs muscle
    February 3, 2012
    A look at the current status of cross-border enforcement of commercial vehicle operation in the European Union and a look at what still needs to happen to realise a coherent working system