Yet more proposals from the EU being examined by DfT that will remove control from the driver:-
Motor Vehicles Safety (link now dead)
How long before the driver is merely there to park the vehicle at journeys end? The latest piece of high-tech statutory nannying proposed is an on-board tyre pressure monitoring device to ensure that Co2 emission reductions are met! They are also consulting on a legal spec for tyre noise and grip although tyres manufactured for cars built prior to 1990 will not be expected to comply.
Seems innocuous enough doesn’t it? But what if this led to a list of acceptable tyre sizes that could be fitted that would not affect the Co2 ratings? If they are concerned that under inflation will raise levels then surely it follows that a restriction on wider tyres with greater rolling resistance would be considered?
The next technology under examination is the Electronic Stability Control Systems .
“Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a safety feature which senses when a vehicle is veering from its intended direction. It automatically applies braking to selected wheels individually to take the car back to its planned course, thus reducing the likelihood of accidents involving skidding and/or overturning. As part of the safety package, the Commission proposes that all new vehicles be fitted with ESC.
The EC impact assessment suggests that ESC can reduce accidents by more than 20 percent in normal conditions and more than 30 percent in wet or icy conditions. It has been available on some cars for around 10 years, and costs have been reducing due to improved technology and increased volumes. A UK study on passenger cars equipped with ESC supports the Commission findings. Our research showed it to be effective in reducing 25% of fatalities when compared to non ESC-equipped cars.
The Commission’s proposal mandates fitting ESC to all new vehicle type-approvals from 29 October 2025 and from 29 October 2025 for all new vehicles. The technical standards have been agreed for both light and heavy vehicle systems and incorporated in UN-ECE Regulations that relate to braking systems. “
Also being considered is Compulsory Automatic Braking and Lane Departure Warning Systems although these are currently only being considered for medium to heavy lorries.
Don’t forget that the Intelligent Speed Adaptation will also be added (voluntarily in 2011) into the mix.:-
Just where does all this additional technology leave a driver in event of failure, just who would be responsible for any accident? Surely all this costly safety equipment will add to an early scrappage of cars as complex expensive electronics failure will render a 5-year-old car valueless?
If the Government truly care about road safety then driver training and education should be the primary tools of choice?
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