From July 2024, new cars must be equipped as standard with eight new safety devices. An obligation imposed by the European Union which aims to reduce the number of deaths on the roads.

From July 2024, new cars must be equipped as standard with eight new safety devices. An obligation imposed by the European Union which aims to reduce the number of deaths on the roads.

From July 2024, a major turning point will be reached in terms of road safety in Europe. Indeed, the European Union will require car manufacturers to integrate eight cutting-edge safety systems into all new vehicles placed on the market. If this equipment should already be present in newly approved vehicles since July 2022, it must now be present as standard in all new cars. This ambitious measure is part of the “Vision Zero” strategy, which aims to achieve the objective of zero road deaths by 2050.

Emergency braking assistance is one of the most important devices. This system can detect danger and automatically brake to avoid a collision or reduce impact. For example, if a pedestrian suddenly crosses the street, your car will react faster than you could. A reverse obstacle detection system is also mandatory. When you are maneuvering out of a parking lot, this device can detect a pedestrian or an object behind you and warn you, or even brake automatically. This helps protect pedestrians, especially children, who may be difficult to see.

The fatigue and inattention alarm is another essential piece of equipment. This system analyzes your driving behavior and alerts you if you show signs of fatigue or distraction, prompting you to take a break. This reduces the risk of accidents related to drowsiness or inattention. Lane departure warning helps prevent accidents caused by unintentional deviations. If you leave your lane without activating your turn signal, this system will alert you, helping you stay focused on the road.

Intelligent cruise control is a notable advancement. It automatically adjusts your vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of you. This reduces driver stress and the risk of rear-end collisions. Like planes, new cars will also have to be equipped with a “black box”, which records driving data, such as speed and driver actions, before an accident. This information can be crucial to understanding the causes of an accident and improving road safety.

Another important device is pre-equipment for an immobilizer breathalyzer, a system that prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol beyond the authorized limit. Finally, a traffic sign reading system will be integrated to inform the driver of speed limits and other important indications. So even if you miss a sign, your car will keep you informed, reducing the risk of violations and accidents.

In 2026, two other pieces of equipment will become mandatory on all new cars: the vulnerable user detector, which identifies cyclists or pedestrians around the car and can brake automatically in the event of danger; and the extended pedestrian protection zone, which aims to reduce injuries in the event of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist. The integration of these new security systems will obviously represent an additional cost for motorists. But this investment should be quickly amortized by the savings made on insurance costs and, above all, by the incalculable value of the human lives saved.