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

  • Swarco installs 34 VAS signs to calm speeding in Brent
    June 26, 2018
    Swarco Traffic has installed 34 vehicle-activated signs (VAS) at key locations in the UK borough of Brent to support its council in reducing collisions, road danger and accidents that involve powered two-wheelers (P2Ws) such as motorcycles and mopeds. Motorcycles account for 19% of all road user deaths despite representing 1% of total road traffic, according to the National Think Road Safety Campaign. VAS are activated when an approaching vehicle is travelling over the system’s pre-set threshold.
  • The twisting path to enforcement’s future
    June 5, 2014
    Survey reveals some division of views about enforcement’s future as Colin Sowman discovers. Technological advances and legislative changes pose many questions for those involved in road enforcement, ranging from the changing demands of privacy and data protection legislation to the practicalities on multi-speed enforcement. So to get the industry’s views ITS International took soundings on some of these bigger questions. In a world where many vehicles are fitted with GPS linked ‘black box’ telematics system
  • Ford commits to C-V2X from 2022 in new US cars
    January 14, 2019
    All new Ford cars will be equipped with cellular vehicle to everything (C-V2X) technology in the US from 2022. In a blog post, Don Butler, executive director, Ford connected vehicle platform and product, said that the move would “help make city mobility safer and less congested”. The car maker has already committed to equipping all new vehicles released in the US with conventional cellular connectivity by the end of 2019. C-V2X will work with Ford Co-Pilot360, the company’s suite of driver-assist
  • TfL to trial new bus sensor technology
    August 1, 2014
    Transport for London (TfL) is to trial detection software to enhance bus driver awareness of pedestrians and cyclists. The six-week trial will start later this month as part of a continued drive to improve road safety in the capital. Four buses will be fitted with brand new pedestrian and cyclist detection software which directly alerts bus drivers when pedestrians and cyclists are moving close to their vehicles, helping to reduce collisions. TfL is trialling two systems, CycleEye from Fusion Processi