EC Proposes Car Safety Legislative Package

May 28, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

First, the EC proposed that electronic stability control (ESC) systems for new car series and commercial vehicles be phased in starting in 2012, with all new cars being equipped by 2014.

ESC acts on the braking or power systems of a vehicle to assist the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle in a critical situation. As well as saving casualties, the widespread use of ESC in vehicles could significantly reduce the traffic congestion caused by accidents involving large vehicles.

Second, the EC proposed that lorries and other heavy vehicles be fitted with an advanced emergency braking system (AES) and a lane departure warning system (LDWS) as of 2013.

An AES on large vehicles employs sensors to alert the driver when a vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front and, in certain situations, applies emergency braking to prevent or reduce the consequences of a collision. An LDWS assists drivers by warning them when their vehicle is in danger of leaving the lane unintentionally.

The EC also proposed the mandatory introduction in 2012 of low rolling resistance tyres, which considerably save on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and might also reduce noise, all while maintaining a high level of safety.

Low rolling resistance tyres will reduce up to seven grams of CO2 per kilometer, thereby contributing strongly to the CO2 reduction strategy for cars adopted by the EC in February 2007.

Rolling resistance depends greatly on the material of the wheel or tyre and can be reduced, for example, by the use of silica in the tread compound. In order to avoid any negative impact on safety, explicit safety requirements were introduced alongside the new standards on noise.

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be reduced further by the proposed introduction of tyre pressure monitoring systems, obligatory from 2012. Such systems warn the driver when a tyre is significantly below its optimum pressure.

Maintaining proper tyre inflation is essential for both fuel efficiency and better tyre performance. In addition, deflated tyres are an important cause of road accidents.

Günter Verheugen, EC vice president responsible for enterprise and industry, said, "We are simplifying legislation. We are improving road safety. We are promoting fuel efficiency. We are presenting a modern integrated policy approach beneficiary for citizens, for the environment and the industry.''

The proposed legislative package is a continuation of efforts begun in October 2007, when the EC proposed the obligatory fitting of passenger cars with a brake assist system (BAS) to protect pedestrians starting in 2009.

The use of a BAS can considerably reduce the stopping distance of a vehicle in an emergency situation (see IP /07/1453). The EC estimates that if the complete European car fleet were to be fitted with a BAS, up to 1,100 pedestrian lives could be saved each year.

For more information, see the EC's web page on its Car Safety Package.

Source: European Commission.