DfT urged to adopt mandatory safety features in all new cars

Leading road safety organisations have written a joint letter to the new transport secretary, Louise Haigh, urging her to prioritise vehicle safety as the new Government is formed.

Led by Brake and AXA UK, and signed by more than 50 other organisations and individuals, including the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), the AA, RAC and Honda, the letter is a direct request to adopt the latest vehicle General Safety Regulation updates to the existing GB Type Approval Scheme.

The regulations, which were implemented in full across Europe two years ago, would play a significant role in improving road safety, helping to prevent crashes and protect drivers and their passengers, as well as other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, say campaigners.

As well as mandating driver assistance features such as intelligent speed assistance, advanced emergency braking and driver-drowsiness-detection systems, the regulations also cover key measures that improve vehicle crash performance and will significantly improve the protection of women and the elderly in the event of a collision.

“For years, our calls for proven measures to stop road crashes and reduce harm have been ignored. Now, as the new Government is forming, we are hopeful for change,” said Ross Moorlock, CEO of Brake.

“This request, to adopt the vehicle General Safety Regulation by updating already existing legislation, is a straightforward, effective way to save hundreds of lives and many thousands of serious injuries from road crashes.

“The UK played a significant role in the development of the Vehicle General Safety Regulation when it was part of the European Union. Now we are calling for recommendations that we have already made a commitment to. This is simple legislation to pass too - all that is required is a signature.”

It has been estimated that adopting the full package of measures in Britain, could prevent more than 1,700 deaths and 15,000 serious injuries over the next 16 years, saving up to £7 billion in health costs.

Meera Naran, road safety campaigner and mother of Dev Naran who was eight years old when he was killed in a road collision on the M6 near Birmingham, said: “Dev was in a stationary car when a lorry collided with it.

“Advanced emergency braking – which is a system that makes a vehicle automatically brake if a person steps out in front of it or a vehicle in front stops suddenly – could have saved Dev’s life.

“It is vital that the Government adopts these measures to prevent more families having to go through what ours has.”

Research conducted by Brake, the road safety charity, and AXA UK in 2023, showed that 63% of drivers are willing to pay more for safety features that would protect themselves and their passengers.

More than two-thirds of drivers also said that intelligent speed assistance, advanced emergency braking and driver-drowsiness detection should be mandatory for all new vehicles in the UK.

Alain Zweibrucker, retail CEO at AXA UK said: “Road crashes claim thousands of lives in the UK every year, so we’re calling on the Government to adopt the Vehicle General Safety Regulations to help significantly improve safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.

“Implementing mandatory vehicle safety features such as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) and Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) can help prevent crashes and protect road users.

“As an insurance provider, we understand the importance of protecting what matters and AXA remains committed to prioritising road safety and promoting responsible driving habits.

“These regulations have the potential to prevent many avoidable tragedies on our roads and safeguard lives, which is something we wholeheartedly support.”

Any organisations or individuals who would like to add their support to the consensus should email campaigns@brake.org.uk.