New vehicle safety standards proposed for Europe

The Commission proposed that all new cars be fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems from 2012, while lorries must feature advanced emergency braking systems and lane departure warning systems from 2013.

The proposals, which require approval from European Union governments before coming into force, would drastically improve vehicle safety, according to EU commissioner Gunter Verheugen.

The move follows proposals last year for the compulsory fitting of Brake Assist Systems (BAS) to passenger cars to protect pedestrians.

The Commission is also calling for the compulsory introduction in 2012 of low rolling resistance tyres, not only to reduce fuel consumption and therefore cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also to cut road noise. According to research, low rolling resistance tyres could save up to seven grams of CO2 emissions per kilometre.

Other measures proposed included the introduction of automatic tyre pressure monitoring systems in vehicles and a measure to sweep away more than 150 existing EU transport laws to replace them with one single rule dovetailing with current UN standards.

Safety technology

"We are simplifying legislation. We are improving road safety. We are promoting fuel efficiency and we are presenting a modern integrated policy approach which benefits citizens, the environment and the vehicle industry," said Mr Verheugen.

Electronic stability systems work in situations where a driver may be losing control of the vehicle. Sensors feed the nature of the emergency to a computer, which then intervenes by selectively braking individual wheels automatically, which in-turn helps the driver bring the vehicle under control.

Advanced emergency braking on larger vehicles involves fitting sensors to alert the driver when the vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front. If necessary, the system can automatically apply emergency braking.

Lane departure warning systems alert drivers if their vehicle starts leaving the lane in which it is travelling.

Last year's proposals, yet to be approved by governments, called for passenger cars to be fitted with brake assist systems from next year - a measure the Commission claims would save 1,100 pedestrian lives every year.