The European Commission’s work on motor vehicle safety deals with the safety of drivers, passengers, and especially children in vehicles. It also focuses on road safety for pedestrians. The work covers light-duty (cars, vans) and heavy-duty vehicles (buses, coaches, and trucks).
ESCA and our members are committed to increasing the safety of the vehicles in our fleet. Along with the rest of the automotive industry, we have been part of the development of passive safety technology in our vehicles and welcomed the remarkable step forward in passenger safety in 2014 with the General Safety Regulation coming into force. By way of example of how ESCA members are leading the way in motor vehicle safety, tyre pressure monitoring systems were pioneered in one of our member’s vehicles. We continue to innovate and find ways to make out cars safer.
Passive safety has reached a level of maturity. As such the Commission is monitoring the use of technology in active safety carefully. Recently, the Commission published a consultation on the implementation of a number of active safety requirements for all new vehicles in the EU.
We welcome the research that the Commission has undertaken. However, we have concerns at the implementation period due to the extent of the features that are included in the Commission’s final report.
ESCA member’s vehicle production is based on a long-term investment strategy with a lead in time on average of 5-6 years, with low volume sales. This means that the proposed 2 year implementation of the General Safety Regulation 2, is too short for the majority of ESCA members.
ESCA are working with the Commission and our partners in the UK and EU automotive industry to assess the possibility for a longer lead in time and partial implementations for SVMs. For our members, this issues is business critical and will alter the planned production of new and existing models across the ranges of our members.
Safety is the number 1 concern for our members. We know and value our customers and work tirelessly to ensure that their safety is ensured. For ESCA and it’s members, the active safety measures in the General Safety Regulation 2 will be detrimental to our businesses. A longer lead in period or partial implementation for our members would allow the opportunity to develop and mature active safety technology.
