In order to improve road safety, in particular to reduce the number of road accidents resulting from human errors, the European Union is introducing regulations aimed at changing the current situation. The EU General Safety Regulation (GSR*) obliges vehicle manufacturers to equip them with a number of advanced driver assistance systems aimed at improving the level of road safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, as well as reducing the number of accidents. The regulation also establishes a legal framework for the approval of automated and fully autonomous vehicles in the European Union. By equipping vehicles with advanced assistance systems, the driver is to receive support that will trigger the correct reaction or cause the systems to take over driving the vehicle for the driver and protect road users from a dangerous situation.

The GSR provisions for all new models of passenger cars, vans and trucks type-approved after July 6, 2022 and sold in the European Union were announced in 2018, and member states accepted them in 2019. Since then, vehicle manufacturers have tried to adapt to requirements. In the period from July 6, 2022, manufacturers could sell vehicles approved before that date and not equipped with the equipment required by the GSR, however, in accordance with the provisions of the regulation, from July 7, 2024, all new vehicles sold and registered for the first time after that date deadline, they must meet the requirements of the new standards.

From July 7, 2024, every new vehicle sold in European Union countries must be equipped with the following safety systems:

• ADDW – Advanced Driver Distraction Warning, which monitors possible driver fatigue or distraction and warns him about the threat. The basis of the system’s operation is a camera observing the driver and analyzing the driver’s eye movements. If the driver’s gaze lingers below the dashboard, which may indicate that he or she is using a smartphone, the system will respond after a maximum of 6 seconds to signal to the driver that he or she is acting inappropriately. The reaction will occur after 3 seconds if the vehicle speed is greater than 50 km/h.
• ISA – Intelligent Speed Assist, a system that monitors road signs and adjusts speed to the signs, as well as warning the driver whenever the speed limit is exceeded.
• AEB – Autonomous Emergency Braking, a system that will activate the braking process when an obstacle is detected.
• REIS – Reversing Information System – solutions monitoring what is happening behind the car, e.g. parking sensors, reversing camera.
• EDR – Event Data Recorder – a data recorder during a road incident, called a “black box”. EDR is supposed to record car data during a road accident, so that later it is easier to find out the causes of the road accident. The most important parameters from the sensors and the vehicle’s ECU will be saved, such as:
  • vehicle speed, throttle opening and engine speed,• brake use (brake system pressure), steering wheel movements, condition of seat belts (fastened/not fastened),
  • activation of the ABS system, operation of the vehicle stabilization system or activation of airbags,
  • status of the tire pressure measurement system indicator light and cruise control operation,
  • status of active driver assistance systems.

Starting from July this year, all new passenger cars must also be equipped with an installation facilitating the installation of universal devices that make starting the engine dependent on monitoring the alcohol content in the exhaled air.

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