A coalition of industry groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are calling on the UK Government to pledge its support for European Commission (EC) plans to improve new vehicle safety standards.
In a joint letter and briefing to Roads Minister Jesse Norman MP, Brake, the Association of Car Fleet Operators, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, European Transport Safety Council, Living Streets, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and RoadPeace say improved minimum vehicle safety standards are needed to reduce deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.
Last year, the EC published a list of 19 safety technologies that it is considering to make mandatory. In its letter, the group urges the Minister to support these measures and champion continued improvements under UK legislation following Brexit.
The technologies under consideration for new cars include Automated Emergency Braking and Intelligent Speed Assistance, as well as updates to crash testing requirements to protect occupants and people outside vehicles. The EC is also considering measures specifically for trucks, such as improvements to truck drivers’ direct vision, to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Vehicle standards were last updated in 2009 and significant advances in vehicle technology, which have taken place since then, “make it prudent to raise the bar and implement further cost effective life-saving safety measures as standard,” says the group.
