New safety rules being introduced for European vehicles

New safety rules are being introduced for vehicles in Europe. From 2022, new models of car sold in Europe will need an interface which enables an alcohol interlock to be fitted if, for example, required by a fleet operator or law enforcement. The reason for this change is that several EU countries require convicted drink-drivers to install alcohol interlocks in their car, and that process is complex and costly at present. A standard interface will make installing alcohol interlocks easier and cheaper accord
November 13, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
New safety rules are being introduced for vehicles in Europe. From 2022, new models of car sold in Europe will need an interface which enables an alcohol interlock to be fitted if, for example, required by a fleet operator or law enforcement. The reason for this change is that several EU countries require convicted drink-drivers to install alcohol interlocks in their car, and that process is complex and costly at present. A standard interface will make installing alcohol interlocks easier and cheaper according to the 1197 European Transport Safety Council (ETSC).


Although the rule was first given its approval in March 2019 it has now been given its final acceptance by the European Council. In-car breathalyser technology is proven and a number of systems are already on the market.

The rules will also call for intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems to be fitted. These have also been trialled and utilise proven technology. Using a combination of GPS location data and information from ground loops, the ISA technology is intended to prevent drivers from speeding.

However, there are many sceptics who believe the ISA technology will be less effective at reducing the incidence of crashes than claimed.

There is evidence that driver assistance systems have little or no benefit to road safety. There is also concern that driver distraction (and smartphone use at the wheel in particular) provides a growing risk of crashes, something these new rules overlook.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Safer roads needed for the gig economy
    May 14, 2019
    Roads everywhere are becoming high-pressure workplaces for millions of gig economy workers, meaning traffic police need a new way to regulate how highways are used. Geoff Hadwick reports from Manchester, UK The way in which the world’s highways are designed, built and used needs to change fast as the gig economy becomes a global phenomenon. Millions of low-paid and badly-trained freelance drivers are now using road as their workplace, all of them working hard under huge amounts of pressure. The tren
    Read More
  • Hamm’s Dr Stefan Klumpp explains future of autonomous compaction
    December 20, 2016
    Autonomous vehicles that can move around without human intervention are not yet a part of everyday life, but they are almost within reach.
    Read More
  • Improving safety for Europe’s roads revealed by latest data
    May 24, 2013
    A wide variety of road safety measures are being implemented across Europe, and with generally beneficial effects. According to the latest data from the European Commission, road fatalities across the EU dropped 9% for 2012 compared with the previous year. In fact 2012 also saw the lowest numbers of people being killed in road traffic crashes in EU countries since data first began being collated. But country by country statistics show that the number of road deaths still varies greatly across the EU.
    Read More
  • Workzone safety a source of concern in Europe
    February 15, 2012
    Work-related road safety is an emerging source of concern throughout Europe, which needs renewed commitment from all those involved. It is estimated that in the EU-15, 39% of fatal work accidents are road traffic accidents, and this number would even be considerably higher should accidents while commuting to and from work be included.
    Read More

Highlighted Content