Who is responsible for deciding and subsequently requiring these new "driver Aids" to be implemented ?
EU regulations known as GSR2, all aimed at reducing the considerable numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. AS far as I can see the UK hasn't signed up to this but the chances of manufacturers making UK-only cars which don't have ADAS is practically zero I would think. In theory, the UK could produce its own set of Type Approval regulations, but they'd still have to comply with those of our markets or we'd never export anything.
New rules around active safety features in new cars, which include ‘speed limiters’, come into effect from Sunday (July 7 2024).
The EU’s ‘New Vehicle General Safety Regulation’, also known as GSR2 or Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, amends the minimum performance standards (known as type approval) for motor vehicles in the EU, adding new required Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
These include Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW), and Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS).
Yousif Al Ani, principal engineer for ADAS at automotive risk intelligence company Thatcham Research, said: “Crash avoidance is the future of automotive safety.
“Modern vehicles are very good at protecting occupants in the event of a collision through passive safety features, such as airbags and crumple zones, but these have limited benefit to vulnerable road users (VRUs).
“KSI (killed or seriously injured) statistics amongst VRUs remain stubbornly high at more than 11,000 each year. The key to reducing these numbers is through the wider introduction of active crash avoidance systems.”
Al Ani explained that the UK is yet to sign up to GSR2 which vehicle manufacturers will adhere to across Europe.
“The technology mandated by this directive is already found in most new cars and the UK could be at risk of falling behind in automotive safety by not adopting it,” he said.
“As ADAS is increasingly fitted to cars, vehicle manufacturers will need to address concerns from drivers that these systems, such as Emergency Lane Keeping Systems, interfere with their driving experience.
“Striking a balance between safety, performance, and integration to create systems that cooperate with drivers is a real challenge for manufacturers.”
He added: “Drivers must also be aware that ISA is an assistance system and that they will remain liable for the safety of their vehicles.
“Incorrect information provided by ISA does not exempt drivers from speed limit infractions. It can also be overridden or switched off at any time.”
