PACTS is calling on the Government to align the UK’s vehicle safety standards with those introduced in Europe last year – or risk being left behind when it comes to road safety.
The General and Pedestrian Safety Regulations (GSR) were adopted by the European Union in 2022 – mandating a series of technologies on new vehicles.
This includes enhanced direct vision in HGVs, automated emergency braking systems, and intelligent speed assistance.
The GSR measures have been lauded by PACTS as the ‘vaccine for vehicles’.
In a new report, PACTS underscores the need for immediate action.
It says endorsing these measures will not only secure the welfare of UK road users but also bolster the UK automotive sector, which exports most new cars to the EU, where these standards are now mandatory.
The report also points out that GSR technologies are crucial for the advancement of connected and autonomous vehicles and come at minimal cost to the taxpayer or consumer.
Jamie Hassall, PACTS executive director, said: “The UK played a key role in the development of these vehicle safety measures but has now been left behind by not adopting them or indeed increasing the requirements.
“This means it will take longer for these features to appear in our fleets and help reduce the number of deaths on our roads. It appears that the UK market is being asked to pay more to have these life saving features activated while these are free in Europe.
“The adoption of the GSR measures could kickstart a new era of road safety in the UK, at virtually no cost to the government or motorists. The benefits of these measures play a key role in reducing the harm caused to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
“The true cost of their delayed introduction and leaving them as an optional paid-for measure has a knock-on effect: otherwise preventable collisions will persist and more lives be lost.”
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