MEPs voted by an overwhelming majority (578 votes to 30, 25 abstentions) to approve the agreement reached between the Parliament and the Council of the EU at the end of March on the regulation on the general safety of vehicles and vulnerable users on Tuesday 16 April in Strasbourg.
The regulation introduces about 30 vehicle safety devices by 2022 for new models and 2024 for pre-existing models. Among the most noteworthy technologies are intelligent speed adaptation systems, which automatically control speed when limits are exceeded, through a return system on the accelerator pedal (which can be disconnected), or the introduction of direct viewing of truck and bus cabs, for safer driving in urban areas, with an implementation leadtime of up to 2028.
In addition, all heavy goods vehicles will also be equipped with advanced detection features, such as a collision warning and blind spot information system. It should be noted that the data collected in the event of accidents has been limited to that necessary for understanding the accident, in order to protect the privacy of vehicle users (see EUROPE 12222/21).
It will now be up to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) to develop more detail on the properties of the various devices set out in the Regulation. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)