Europe Moves Closer to Mandatory Everything, Including Speed Limiters

A month after a European Parliament committee approved a host of measures designed to reduce roadway fatalities, the European Commission has signed off on the plan. New vehicles sold in Europe starting in 2022 stand to be more connected and nanny-like than ever, with speed limiters being just one of the mandatory safety features.

Other features include connection points for alcohol ignition interlock devices, driver monitoring cameras, and a range of lesser tech that drivers might actually approve of.

The European Commission is the arm of the EY tasked with proposing and implementing legislation. While the plan still requires final approval from European Parliament and EU member states, that’s pretty much a formality at this point.

Automakers will need to ensure that new models introduced after May 2022 have all of the kit on hand, though they’ll have until May of 2024 to outfit existing models with the gear.

It’s a long list of features, the most significant being intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems that can restrain vehicles from exceeding posted speed limits. (Ronnie explains these systems in detail in the link at the top of the page.) The other big addition are driver monitoring cameras, designed to send audio and visual warnings to the driver if the camera detects signs of distraction or drowsiness, and the ability for easy install of alcohol interlock devices. Accident data recorders will be on board to help investigators determine the cause of your crash.

Other features fall into the category of driver-assist tech, often found in a pricey optional technology package (in America, anyway). Advanced automatic emergency braking, lane holding, and backup cameras will be mandatory.

With these features on board, the European Commission anticipates the saving of 25,000 lives by 2038.

[Image: Daimler AG]