Imagine driving your car and knowing that it’s packed with advanced safety features designed to help you avoid accidents.
That’s the vision behind a new proposal that Labour is actively considering: adopting a set of EU rules to make certain safety technologies mandatory in every new car sold across the UK.
What Are the EU Safety Rules All About?
More than five years after Brexit, UK ministers are taking a close look at the European Union’s New Vehicle General Safety Regulation, also known as GSR2 or Regulation (EU) 2019/2144.
This regulation has been in force across Europe since 7 July 2024, and it requires all new vehicles to be equipped with a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
These include features like Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA), Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
How Do These Systems Work?
Let’s break it down a bit. Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) uses a combination of GPS data, cameras, and sensors to detect speed limits and warn drivers if they’re speeding.
If you ignore the warnings, the system can even limit your car’s engine power to help bring your speed down.
Similarly, Emergency Lane Keeping Systems help prevent you from drifting out of your lane, while Autonomous Emergency Braking automatically applies the brakes to help avoid collisions.
Are Drivers Ready for All This Tech?
Interestingly, a national survey revealed that over half of British motorists admit to turning off at least one of these safety features.
Many drivers complain that features like speed assist and lane-keeping can be intrusive—some even describe them as “dangerous, distracting, and useless.”
It seems that while these technologies are designed to keep us safer, they can sometimes feel like too much, especially when constant warnings interrupt the driving experience.
The UK’s Approach Post-Brexit
Even though the UK left the EU on 1 January 2020 and isn’t obligated to follow its rules, the Labour party is considering replicating these safety measures here.
Lord Henry, a Minister of State at the Department for Transport, recently told the House of Lords that government officials are actively analyzing which of the 19 advanced safety technologies could be beneficial for Britain.
Given the international nature of the car manufacturing industry, many vehicles sold in the UK already meet these standards, but lawmakers want to ensure the country isn’t left behind in automotive safety.
A Closer Look at the Mandatory Features
Under the EU regulation, new cars are expected to have a host of safety features beyond ISA, including:
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Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDAW): Alerts you if you seem fatigued or distracted.
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Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation (AIIF): Makes it easier to install devices that prevent a car from starting if alcohol is detected.
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Event Data Recorders (EDR): These black boxes record critical data before and after a collision.
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Electronic Stability Programme (ESP): Helps maintain control during emergency maneuvers.
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And more, such as Emergency Stop Signals, Reversing Detection Systems, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, and even cybersecurity measures for connected vehicles.
Balancing Safety with Driver Control
While these systems promise to reduce accidents, manufacturers face the challenge of integrating them in a way that doesn’t frustrate drivers.
For instance, many motorists report switching off features like ISA because they find the constant alerts annoying.
The idea is to strike a balance between keeping drivers safe and allowing them to feel in control of their vehicles.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Experts, like Yousif Al Ani from Thatcham Research, argue that active crash avoidance systems are the future of automotive safety.
They point out that while traditional safety features—like airbags and crumple zones—are effective in protecting passengers during a crash, advanced systems are crucial for protecting vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
Global Impact and Local Adoption
The push for these safety features isn’t just about keeping up with European standards.
In places like Nigeria and various Asian markets, such systems are already critical to the local health and safety infrastructure.
For the UK, adopting similar measures could enhance road safety significantly, making it one of the most advanced markets for automotive safety technology.
What Car Manufacturers Are Saying
In response to these developments, many top-selling car brands in the UK have confirmed that they either already include these systems in their new models or plan to do so soon.
This is partly driven by concerns that UK car makers could fall behind in terms of safety standards if these technologies aren’t widely adopted.
Looking Ahead
As lawmakers, car manufacturers, and drivers navigate this evolving landscape, the key question remains: How do we create vehicles that are both safe and enjoyable to drive? With active safety features on the rise and the potential for new regulations on the horizon, the future of driving in the UK might soon look very different—safer, smarter, and more connected than ever before.