Drowsiness warning, emergency braking system… here are the new mandatory features for new cars

Starting this Sunday, July 7, 2024, all new cars sold in the EU must be equipped with a wide range of new safety devices. We take a look.

This Sunday, July 7, 2024, all new cars sold in the European Union must be equipped with a wide range of new devices intended to improve road safety.

“European roads are the safest in the world with an average of 49 road deaths per million inhabitants linked to car accidents, compared to 174 per million on average in the world.” recalls the European Parliament. “The number of deaths on European Union roads has more than halved over the last two decades, but the figures are stagnating and more needs to be done to improve road safety and save more lives.”

New equipment

Among the new mandatory equipment, we find: an intelligent speed adaptation system that warns the driver of speeding; a driver drowsiness and attention loss warning; an automatic emergency braking system; an emergency lane keeping system; a tire pressure monitoring system that warns the driver in the event of a loss of pressure; a blind spot detection device or an event data recorder, a sort of black box that records all driving data.

“The European Commission estimates that these new devices might contribute to reducing the number of deaths on European roads by 20% by 2030.,” explains the JDG. “They might also have a positive impact on the price of new cars, by encouraging competition between manufacturers to develop more efficient and affordable technologies.”

And in 2026…

TF1 adds that “Two other pieces of equipment will become mandatory for all new cars from July 2026: the vulnerable user detector, which detects the presence of two-wheelers or cyclists around the vehicle and stops it in the event of danger, as well as the extended pedestrian protection zone, which reduces the impact on the head of a cyclist or pedestrian in the event of a collision.”

New Road Safety Features Become Mandatory for All New Cars Sold in the EU

As of July 7, 2024, all new cars sold in the European Union are mandated to be equipped with a range of cutting-edge safety features aimed at drastically reducing road accidents and saving lives. These new regulations, which have been in the works for several years, are a significant step forward in the EU’s ongoing commitment to making its roads the safest in the world.

According to the European Parliament, European roads are already among the safest globally, with an average of 49 road deaths per million inhabitants. However, the number of fatalities has plateaued, indicating a need for further action to improve safety and continue saving lives.

New Equipment

The new mandatory equipment includes:

• Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) System: This system warns the driver of exceeding the speed limit through visual and auditory alerts, helping to prevent speeding-related accidents.
• Driver Drowsiness and Attention Loss Warning: This system monitors driver behavior and alerts them if signs of drowsiness or distraction are detected, encouraging breaks or offering a timely reminder to stay focused.
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System: This system automatically applies the brakes to avoid or mitigate collisions with vehicles or pedestrians in front, significantly reducing the risk of rear-end crashes.
• Emergency Lane Keeping System: This system helps drivers stay within their lane by gently steering the vehicle back if it is detected drifting out of its lane, particularly valuable for drowsy or distracted drivers.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): This system alerts the driver if a tire loses pressure, allowing them to address the issue promptly and avoid potential accidents caused by underinflated tires.
• Blind Spot Detection Device: This system alerts the driver to vehicles in their blind spot, reducing the risk of accidents when changing lanes.
• Event Data Recorder (EDR): Similar to a black box in an airplane, the EDR records data like speed, braking, and steering, which can be invaluable in investigations following accidents.

The European Commission estimates that these new safety features might lead to a 20% reduction in road deaths by 2030. Moreover, these advancements are expected to stimulate competition among automotive manufacturers to develop more efficient and affordable technologies, potentially lowering the cost of new cars in the long run.

Further Safety Enhancements in 2026

The EU’s commitment to road safety goes beyond these initial mandates. In July 2026, two additional safety features will become mandatory for all new car models:

• Vulnerable User Detector: This system detects the presence of cyclists and motorcyclists around the vehicle and automatically activates braking if an impending collision is detected.
• Extended Pedestrian Protection Zone: This feature reduces the impact on the head of pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a collision, significantly minimizing the risk of severe injuries.

These new features are a testament to the EU’s unwavering dedication to achieving the ambitious goal of zero road deaths by 2050. The combined impact of these advancements is anticipated to drastically reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on European roads, contributing to a safer driving environment for everyone.

Benefits and Practical Tips

Benefits of new safety features:

• Reduced accidents: These features drastically decrease the risk of accidents by actively detecting and mitigating potential hazards.
• Safer roads for everyone: The new regulations create a safer environment for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
• Fewer fatalities: These advancements are expected to significantly reduce the number of road deaths, saving countless lives.
• Increased driver confidence: The advanced safety features provide drivers with greater reassurance and peace of mind.

Practical tips:

• Familiarize yourself with the new features: Take some time to understand how these systems work to maximize their benefits.
• Maintain your car: Regularly servicing your vehicle ensures all safety features are functioning correctly.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Even with advanced safety features, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and actively observe your surroundings.
• Stay focused on driving: Avoid distractions like mobile phones, and ensure you are well-rested before embarking on a journey.

The implementation of these new safety features represents a significant step forward in road safety and underscores the EU’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and creating safer roads for all.