Too many deaths on European roads
2019 saw around 22,800 people killed in European road traffic – and although the number of documented road deaths has fallen by almost 25% compared to 2010, the rate of decline has slowed down considerably. The European Union’s original objective to halve the number of road accident victims between 2010 and 2020 now seems unattainable. Current statistics also show that in urban areas, around 70% of all accident fatalities are unprotected road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. To considerably reduce the total number of road deaths in the EU and to better protect pedestrians and cyclists in particular, the EU adopted an effective package of measures – the General Safety Regulation.
The General Safety Regulation – what is it?
On 27 November 2019, the EU adopted the
General Safety Regulation (GSR) , with the aim of drastically reducing the number of deaths, serious injuries and accidents in the EU. This was to be achieved by introducing the latest safety technologies as standard equipment in new vehicles. These systems range from alcohol immobilisers and intelligent speed assistants to tire pressure monitoring systems, lane changing assistants and many other intelligent driver assistance systems. The general requirements apply to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as well as buses and heavy commercial vehicles. Additional safety requirements have also been imposed on the various types of vehicles. These new requirements will be introduced successively for new car models (EU type-approval) and for vehicle registrations.
Special safety requirements for buses and heavy commercial vehicles
Serious accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles and unprotected persons such as pedestrians and cyclists occur time and time again in urban traffic. This is why the mandatory installation of safety systems for buses and heavy commercial vehicles goes beyond the GSR’s general requirements and existing systems such as lane departure warning systems and emergency brake assistance systems – for example, additional systems are planned that will warn drivers of heavy trucks of pedestrians and cyclists in the blind spot.
These safety technologies will become mandatory for buses and heavy commercial vehicles:
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ADDW: Advanced Driver Distraction Warning
This highly developed system is designed to help the driver continue to concentrate on the traffic situation. It warns him if it detects that the driver is being distracted in any way.
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ALC: Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation
The Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation is a standardised interface in a vehicle which allows the retrofitting of such an immobilizer. These devices are systems designed to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol. To achieve this, the driver blows into a control device that determines the level of alcohol in his blood. If the limit is exceeded, the driver can no longer start the engine of the commercial vehicle and traffic will not be endangered.
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BLIS: Blind Spot Information System
The lane change assistant uses signals to alert the driver to road users who are in his blind spot. The areas adjacent to or behind the vehicle that are not visible to the driver can be monitored by ultrasonic or radar sensors.
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DDR-AW: Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning
Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning is a system which assesses the driver’s alertness and warns him if necessary. Various methods can be used to achieve this: the video monitoring can be evaluated to check that the course driven between lane markings is maintained, steering movements can be monitored, or steering errors analysed in relation to indicator behaviour, time of day and speed.
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EDR: Event Data Recorder
The Event Data Recorder means a system designed for the sole purpose of recording and storing critical accident-related parameters and information shortly before, during and immediately after an impact.
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ESS: Emergency Stop Signal
This is a light-signalling function which indicates to road users located behind the vehicle that the vehicle in front of them is being strongly braked with significant deceleration for the prevailing road conditions.
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ISA: Intelligent Speed Assistance
Intelligent Speed Assistance is a system designed to assist the driver in maintaining a speed that matches the road conditions by providing targeted and appropriate feedback.
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PCW: Pedestrian and Cyclist Collision Warning
Highly developed turn assist systems detect cyclists and pedestrians who are near the vehicle and warn the driver to avoid an accident. Collisions with vulnerable road users – especially when the vehicle is turning off – can be prevented.
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REV: Reversing Detection System
This system provides drivers with information about persons or objects behind the vehicle to prevent a collision when they are reversing or leaving a parking space.
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TPMS: Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system is installed in the vehicle. It can detect the tire pressure or pressure variations over time and transmit information to the driver while the vehicle is moving.
When will these technologies become mandatory for heavy commercial vehicles and buses?
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From 2022
For EU type-approval:
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
- Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation (ALC)
- Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDR-AW)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)
- Reversing Detection System (REV)
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Collision Warning (PCW)
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
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From 2024
For all vehicle registrations:
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
- Alcohol Interlock Installation Facilitation (ALC)
- Driver Drowsiness and Attention Warning (DDR-AW)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)
- Reversing Detection System (REV)
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Collision Warning (PCW)
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
For EU type-approval:
- Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW)
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From 2026
For all vehicle registrations:
- Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW)
For EU type-approval:
- Event Data Recorder (EDR)
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From 2029
For all vehicle registrations:
- Event Data Recorder (EDR)
Modern technologies – an integral part of the implementation of new regulations
In addition to the General Safety Regulation, more packages of measures exist at EU and national levels. With the help of intelligent technologies, these packages are intended to make transport safer, reduce CO2 emissions and ensure fairer competition. With the adoption of Mobility Package I by the European Union in July 2020, the Smart Tachograph, for example, became much more important. It is a control system that documents numerous items of information on driving and rest periods, speed, distance travelled and border crossings, and enables easy controlling procedures by authorities via a standardised interface. Since 2018, e-call is also mandatory in all new models whose EU type-approval is dated after March 31. This automatic emergency call system notifies emergency services in the event of an accident and is expected to save 2,500 lives a year in Europe. The Onboard Weighing System is also a good example of the important role played by modern technologies in new regulations for traffic, transport and vehicle equipment. Based on Directive 96/53/EC regarding the dimensions and weights of heavy commercial vehicles, standardized weighing systems are intended to warn heavy commercial vehicles of overloading, thus avoiding accidents and ensuring fair competition. However, new regulations and related technologies not only lead to safer and cleaner transport, they also increase the overall level of intelligent technologies in vehicles – and this makes them decisive pioneers in autonomous driving.
Our solutions for more safety in traffic
Today we are currently developing highly sophisticated driver assistance systems (ADAS) for commercial vehicles to increase safety on the roads. Our radar sensors and camera systems offer a wide range of functions, from emergency brake assistants to turn assist systems and intelligent headlamp assistants. Our objective? To develop reliable safety technologies that go beyond the requirements of the General Safety Regulation.