MEPs call for driver-assistance systems to made compulsory for new cars

Following over 25,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries on Europe’s roads each year, 90% of which are caused by human error, MEPs are calling for new cars to be equipped with lifesaving driver assistance systems in a draft resolution. Three-quarters of new cars are still not equipped with the systems due to the extra cost. In response, the resolution suggests only making features compulsory that are already available on the market such as automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian and
November 17, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

Following over 25,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries on Europe’s roads each year, 90% of which are caused by human error, MEPs are calling for new cars to be equipped with lifesaving driver assistance systems in a draft resolution.

Three-quarters of new cars are still not equipped with the systems due to the extra cost. In response, the resolution suggests only making features compulsory that are already available on the market such as automatic emergency braking systems with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

The systems vary and can also automatically slow a car down to avoid a collision and assist drivers to remain within speed limits. Other systems can start beeping or steer a car back when the driver drifts out of the lane.

MEPs are also looking to assess the possible added value of cutting the blood alcohol limit to zero for new drivers and professional drivers across the EU.

German EPP member Dieter-Lebrecht Koch, author of the non-binding resolution, said: “Whether as drivers, pedestrians or cyclists – we all make mistakes. And in those cases automatic assistance systems are like silent co-pilots that help us avoid accidents.”

Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • Highways England launches initiatives to drive down motorway and major road incidents
    October 30, 2017
    To slash road causalities by 40% by 2020 and combat last year’s 8 tyre-related fatalities and 120 serious injuries, Highways England (HE) has revealed a series of initiatives to mark the end of the Tyre Safety month. Working with the NHS and tyre manufactures, HE is helping family drivers, commuters and commercial drivers keep tyres in top condition. Some of these plans are already being delivered.
    Read More
  • Hella and Autoliv sign license and cooperation agreement
    May 18, 2012
    Hella Aglaia Mobile Vision, a subsidiary of Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., and Autoliv have agreed to cooperate and further develop their automotive forward-looking vision systems together. As part of the agreement that bundles the competencies of both companies, Hella Aglaia is selling an exclusive license on monovision based algorithms for traffic sign recognition (TSR), lane detection and light source recognition to Autoliv. By monitoring traffic signs, TSR helps the driver to keep the correct speed and follow
    Read More
  • Autonomous driving – what can we really expect?
    June 6, 2016
    Dave Marples of Technolution BV looks beyond the hype to the practical implementation of autonomous vehicles. Having looked at the development of this sector for some time, I am concerned about the current state of autonomous driving development as engineering (and marketing) have run way ahead of the wider systemic, and legislative, requirements to support an autonomous future.
    Read More
  • Hard shoulder running aids uniform traffic flow and safer driving
    January 23, 2012
    David Crawford detects a market for European experience. Well-established now in at least three European countries, Hard Shoulder Running (HSR) on motorways is exciting growing interest in the US. A November 2010 Report to Congress by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), on the Efficient Use of Highway Capacity, notes the role of HSR in the European-style Active Traffic Management (ATM) strategies now being recommended for implementation in the US where, until recently, they were virtually unknown.
    Read More

Highlighted Content