Former transport ministers have written to UK transport secretary Grant Shapps calling on him to swiftly adopt new vehicle safety measures, which have been described “as the biggest advance in vehicle safety since the seat belt”.
A package of 15 integrated measures, including better direct vision in HGVs, automated emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists, and intelligent speed adaptation, comes into effect for vehicles made in the EU and in Northern Ireland from July.
According to the letter, the UK actively supported these measures right up to the moment that it left the EU – two years ago this week. The Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Transport Safety (PACTS) added the UK now needs to adopt its own regulations or put the safety of UK road users at risk.
Furthermore, the ministers believe adopting this package of measures will benefit the UK automotive sector which exports most new cars to the EU, where these standards will soon be mandatory.
The technologies have also been described as integral to the development of connected and autonomous vehicles. With the ministers stating such systems come at minimal cost to the taxpayer or consumer.
The measures are designed to help avoid serious and fatal crashes and injuries, as well as improve safety for vulnerable road users.
David Davies, PACTS executive director, said: “There has been little progress in reducing road deaths and injuries over the past decade (apart from during the 2020 lockdown). Here is a package of measures that would kick start a new chapter. It comes at almost no cost to the government or the motorist.
“We support the call from former transport ministers for the government to at least match the standards that will apply in Northern Ireland. It could demonstrate the UK’s new independence by going further and faster.”
The UK government consulted on new vehicle regulations in November 2021 but PACTS concluded the UK needs to reaffirm its position as the leader in transport safety, not only in Europe but in the world. It called the Future of Transport Regulatory Review a critical opportunity for the UK government to place the UK at the forefront.
