Skip to main content

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.”

Related Content

  • Smartphone solution for parking performance
    March 31, 2017
    Automated parking offers optimised space utilisation and fewer damage complaints as David Crawford discovers. As cars become smarter, technology designed to make parking them more straightforward is developing in parallel. In turn, it is becoming clear that the places where vehicles spend much of their time will need to respond – more comprehensively than by supporting established aids such as smartphone-based parking location and reservation, or payment for time used.
  • Allianz provides Bolt e-scooter insurance 
    December 17, 2021
    Insurance programme will be available in Estonia, Lithuania and Malta
  • Grab campaign to raise transport safety in south-east Asia
    October 30, 2018
    Ride-hailing company Grab has launched a programme to make its service safer for drivers and passengers in south-east Asia. As part of the Safer Everyday Tech Roadmap initiative, Grab’s analytics tool works with the company’s app to help employees understand how to improve driving behaviour. Drivers also receive telematics reports on speeding, acceleration and breaking as well as reminders from a fatigue monitoring system on how long they have been travelling without taking a rest. Tan Hooi Ling, Gr
  • UN safety drive for 30 km/h speed limit
    May 20, 2021
    Child Health Initiative global ambassador Zoleka Mandela says: 'Above 30 is a death sentence'