The United Kingdom Government has announced it will require a range of advanced safety technologies to be fitted to new mass-produced vehicles entering the Great Britain market.
The changes are aimed at reducing crashes and improving protection for vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users, while also bringing Great Britain’s rules closer to those already in place across Europe and Northern Ireland.
The new requirements will apply to vehicles seeking GB type approval and will cover 18 safety technologies, including advanced emergency braking, blind spot information systems, driver drowsiness and distraction warnings, emergency lane keeping systems, intelligent speed assistance, reversing detection technologies and event data recorders.
While the changes allow alcohol interlock devices to be installed more easily, they will not be mandated.
The technologies are intended to help prevent collisions, reduce their severity and improve outcomes when incidents do occur.
The Government says the move responds to a slowdown in road safety improvements in recent years, with driver distraction, fatigue and excessive speed continuing to contribute to serious crashes.
New vehicle types will need to comply 12 months after the legislation comes into force.
According to the Government, the proposal received broad support from road safety organisations and industry groups during consultation.
It also noted that many manufacturers are already building vehicles to similar standards for other markets, meaning the changes will be easier to implement while reducing differences between UK and European requirements.