Europe to Mandate Advanced Safety Features for 2022 Cars

The European Commission says it intends to require such safety features as driver monitors, “intelligent” speed controls and automatic emergency braking beginning with 2022 models.

The proposed rules must be approved by the European Parliament and European Union member states. The EC estimates the new safety features will save more than 25,000 lives and avoid 140,000 serious injuries by 2038.

The standards will require passenger vehicles to be fitted with camera-based driver drowsiness and distraction monitors. The rules also will dictate backup cameras, crash data recorders, advanced safety belts, emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and speed limiters that activate under adverse driving conditions.

Most of those features also will be required for trucks and buses. In addition, commercial vehicles will be equipped with blind-spot monitors and front-end systems that detect and warn pedestrians and bicyclists when the vehicle turns.

The EC notes that mandating the safety features also will help Europeans become accustomed to driver assist systems, thereby supporting the eventual transition to self-driving vehicles.