As of 7 July 2024, new rules on general vehicle safety now apply to all new motor vehicles sold in the European Union. These regulations, which have been in place for new vehicle types since July 2022, aim to enhance road safety by mandating advanced driver assistance systems in all new vehicles, including cars, vans, trucks, and buses.
The General Safety Regulation, in effect since 2022, has introduced safety measures that are significantly improving protection for passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists across the EU. These safety improvements are projected to save over 25,000 lives and prevent at least 140,000 serious injuries by 2038.
Commissioner Thierry Breton’s Statement
Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, emphasized the EU’s leadership in vehicle safety:
“The EU is a world leader in general safety rules for vehicles. We ensure that innovative technology solutions can be used to improve safety on our roads. With the general safety rules now applying to all new motor vehicles, we will better protect passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists across Europe, while keeping the EU industry’s leadership in driver assistant systems.”
New Safety Requirements
All new vehicles sold in the EU must now be equipped with the following features:
- Intelligent speed assistance solutions
- Cameras or sensors for reversing detection
- Driver attention warnings to detect drowsiness
- Emergency stop signals
- Lane-keeping systems and automated braking systems (for cars and vans)
- Event data recorders
For buses and trucks, additional technologies are required to prevent collisions with pedestrians and cyclists, including:
- Systems for detecting and addressing blind spots
- Warning systems
- Tyre pressure monitoring systems
These measures are part of the EU’s broader commitment to improving road safety through innovative technologies.
For further details, see the new General Safety Regulation factsheet.
News cover : Satyajit Chowdhury
See the new General Safety Regulation factsheet.