The evolution of cars towards intelligent machines brought significant benefits to road safety. Thanks to integration with the internet, advanced systems have been developed driving assistance, known as Adas (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), which have the potential to save numerous lives. Using sensors, cameras and geolocation technologies, these systems they monitor continuously traffic conditions and provide hazard warnings and crucial information to the driver. Their connectivity allows direct interventions on steering, accelerator and brakes to prevent accidents.
Already mandatory from 6 July 2022 on all newly homologated cars in the European Union, from 7 July 2024 will become mandatory also on all vehicles of new registration.
Adas: what are driver assistance systems
The Adas are advanced driver assistance systems that improve vehicle safety by focusing on accident prevention. These technologically innovative devices not only protect drivers and passengers, but also pedestrians and cyclists. Unlike passive safety systems such as airbags and the car's deforming body, which intervene during and after an accident, Adas aim to prevent that the accident happens.
Adas systems use a series of sensors which, together with the on-board software, continuously monitor driving and intervene in case of emergency. The systems include functions such as automatic braking, lane keeping and speed adaptation, all managed by a centralized system integrated into the car's on-board computer.
The Adas represent a fundamental step towards him development of self-driving cars, capable of moving without the intervention of the driver.
With Adas, safety on the roads will increase
According to research, more than 90% of road accidents are attributable to human errors, while only 5% are due to problems related to the operation of vehicles. The European Commission foresees that i new standards of active safety they will save over 25.000 lives and will prevent at least 140.000 serious injuries by 2038. The importance of these systems is already evident in modern cars, where their presence is essential to obtain 5 stars Euro Ncap, a fundamental certification for car manufacturers.
Europe is already the safest continent when it comes to road safety. The future goal is further reduce the number of victims, falling below the current 51 victims per million inhabitants, a number significantly lower than the 121 in North America.
Il EU Regulation 2019/2144 it is in effective from July 2022, making the installation of Adas systems mandatory to obtain vehicle approval. Accordingly, every car presented in Europe from that date must already be compliant. Vehicles approved before July 2022 have been given a two-year window to comply, which expires on July 7. From that moment on, it will no longer be possible to homologate vehicles without the required technical equipment, regardless of the original homologation date.
Adas mandatory from 7 July 2024
From 7 July, the sale of any new car, even the smallest, that is not equipped with Adas will be prohibited in all EU countries.
I devices mandatory electronic driver assistance systems there are seven: some were already present on cars while the last real innovations introduced are the Alcolock and the black box. The seven mandatory Adas devices are therefore:
- Intelligent speed limiter (ISA): processes GPS signals in real time and reads road signs to adapt the vehicle's speed.
- Lane keeping assistance (Lka): intervenes on the steering and brakes to bring the car back on the correct trajectory between 65 and 130 km/h.
- Autonomous emergency braking (A and b): Detects cars, pedestrians and cyclists on a collision course and activates braking if necessary.
- Driver fatigue and distraction detection: analyzes steering wheel movements and sends warning signals to the driver.
- alcolock: breathalyzer that prevents the engine from starting if the driver's alcohol level exceeds a certain value. From July 2024 cars must be prepared for its rapid installation.
- Reverse detection: system that warns the driver of the presence of obstacles or people when reversing.
- Black box: records what happens 5 seconds before and 300 milliseconds after an accident, ensuring the anonymity of the data collected.
In addition to these mandatory Adas, the new cars they must be equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems and designed with a larger and more effective head impact protection zone.
Adas also on heavy vehicles
The Adas will be also mandatory on new heavy vehicles registered in the EU. According to the European body that evaluates vehicle safety (Euro Ncap) trucks need to be equipped with advanced life-saving technologies, focused on accident prevention, vision and post-crash rescue. Even though trucks make up only 3% of vehicles on European roads, they are involved in almost the 15% of deaths for road accidents in the EU. To address this problem, Euro NCAP is developing a specific classification scheme called “Truck Safe”, which it will impose in 2027 increased active safety requirements for maneuvers. In 2030, Euro NCAP will start i truck crash tests to promote better passive safety protection. The vehicles will be tested by sector and will focus on urban delivery, highway distribution, long haul, and dump and refuse trucks. The first publication of the ratings will be announced in November 2024.
The next Adas to be introduced
The introduction of new safety systems will not end but new arrivals are expected in the coming years: from 7 January 2026, to obtain homologation, the cars will have to be equipped with a Extended shock absorption zone for the head, advanced protections for pedestrians and cyclists, e emergency braking systems located in front of the vehicle. By July 2027, the European Commission will evaluate the effectiveness of the measures adopted, indicating any new changes.
Adas, there is the downside: risk of price increases
Although improving safety is a priority, the mandatory introduction of Adas systems on car models could lead to a increase in vehicle costs. For example, automotive companies such as Renault and Suzuki already have an increase is expected on the price list of at least 400 euros for this reason.
But the new rules could lead to withdrawal from the market of many outdated models. The Smart Fortwo and Fiat 500 with combustion engines are among those that could be suspended from production. In contrast, models such as the Fiat Panda, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Dacia Sandero, Jogger and the new generation Duster will be updated to comply with the new regulations and will continue to be produced.
