KEY NEWS 1/4 — EU
EU Strengthens Road Safety with Update to General Safety Regulation
The European Union has taken a decisive step to enhance road safety with the update of the General Safety Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2144), which sets the vehicle type-approval requirements across Europe. This revision incorporates the latest technical and regulatory advances agreed globally by the United Nations through the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29).
Among the most notable updates is the inclusion of UN Regulation No. 167, which improves direct vision for trucks and buses to reduce blind spots and better protect pedestrians and cyclists. The update also adds UN Regulation No. 169, which governs Event Data Recorders (EDRs), the “black boxes” for heavy-duty vehicles, essential for accident investigation and road safety enhancement.
The update focuses heavily on driver assistance systems with the inclusion of UN Regulation No. 171, covering technologies such as lane-keeping and speed assistance. Moreover, the advanced emergency braking systems regulated by UN Regulation No. 152 extend their protection to prevent collisions not only between vehicles but also involving pedestrians and cyclists.
Pedestrian safety is further strengthened through the revision of UN Regulation No. 127, expanding head impact zones to reduce injuries in case of collisions. Additionally, UN Regulation No. 117 introduces requirements for wet grip performance of worn tires, allowing a transition period until January 2029 to continue using tires approved under previous standards.
In line with the increasing electrification of the vehicle fleet, key updates to electrical safety and steering systems are included through amendments to UN Regulations No. 79 and No. 100.
The European Commission conducted technical consultations with Member State experts in July and December 2024, receiving broad support for the proposal. The updated regulation is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union in August 2025, coming into effect twenty days later, with full application starting September 1, 2025.
With this revision, the EU reaffirms its commitment to road safety and protection of vulnerable road users, aligning its standards with the most advanced international regulations and solidifying its position as a global leader in this field.
KEY NEWS 2/4 — EU
ACEM Unveils New European Strategy to Improve Motorcyclist Road Safety
The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) has released its new strategy aimed at enhancing road safety for motorcyclists across Europe. The plan, available at roadsafetystrategy.acem.eu, is structured around four key pillars: advanced safety technologies, connected and cooperative mobility, adequate motorcycle detection, and the need for specific safety policies.
In the area of advanced safety technologies, ACEM member manufacturers continue to develop more sophisticated motorcycle designs, intelligent rider assistance systems, and improvements in braking, lighting, and suspension systems. Notably, ARAS technology (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems) has evolved from purely reactive systems to perceptive ones, capable of anticipating risks on the road.
The strategy also emphasizes the importance of connected and cooperative mobility. The industry is actively working on deploying Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) and advancing the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), an initiative aimed at fully integrating motorcycles into the connected mobility ecosystem. More than 30 use cases have been identified where vehicle connectivity can warn drivers and motorcyclists of potentially dangerous situations, including the development of motorcycle-specific eCall systems.
Another critical focus of the report is the need for adequate motorcycle detection by Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and future automated vehicles. ACEM calls for level 3 automated vehicles to be capable of recognizing complex motorcycle maneuvers such as lane changes and sharp cornering.
Finally, the association highlights the urgency of adopting specific safety policies for motorcyclists. Recommendations include developing national safety strategies focused on motorcyclists, adapting infrastructure to meet the particular needs of motorcycles, and promoting appropriate personal protective equipment for different types of riders. ACEM also advocates for closer cooperation with national authorities to achieve better road safety outcomes.
With this strategy, ACEM reaffirms its commitment to reducing accidents and improving protection for motorcyclists, a particularly vulnerable group on Europe’s roads.
KEY NEWS 3/4 — EU
EU Sets Roadmap for Automated and Connected Vehicles
The European Commission is moving forward in defining the regulatory timeline for the gradual rollout of various levels of assisted and autonomous driving in Europe, aiming to strengthen the single market and ensure road safety.
According to ongoing work, the roadmap is based on three levels of automation:
- Level 2: The driver must be present, attentive, and remains responsible for driving. This level is governed by UN Regulation No. 171 on Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS).
- Level 3: The driver must be present but is not necessarily actively engaged in operating the vehicle. This category is based on UN Regulation No. 157, which covers the Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS).
- Level 4: The presence of the driver is not required. This level is regulated by Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 on Automated Driving Systems.
To accelerate the deployment of these technologies, the European Commission plans to:
- Establish cross-border test corridors for autonomous vehicles from 2026, enabling trials under real-life driving conditions across different countries.
- Develop a regulatory framework allowing unlimited series production of vehicles equipped with automated driving systems from 2026.
- Foster single market integration through harmonized rules for testing and deploying automated vehicles throughout Europe, also planned for 2026.
With these measures, the EU aims to position itself at the forefront of smart mobility, promoting technological innovation while ensuring high levels of safety and protection for road users.
KEY NEWS 4/4 — EU
Global NCAP and Latin NCAP Propose Safety Labelling for New Vehicles
Global NCAP and Latin NCAP have issued a strong call for the introduction of a safety labelling scheme for new vehicles, aiming to provide consumers with clear and transparent information about the safety performance of the cars they purchase.
In their latest report, both organizations emphasize that safety labelling schemes are essential tools to empower buyers and drive positive change in the automotive market by steering demand towards safer vehicles.
The document highlights the scale of the challenge: nearly 2 billion new vehicles have been manufactured worldwide since the year 2000, underscoring the importance of ensuring consumers have access to reliable safety information at the point of sale.
Global NCAP and Latin NCAP are urging governments to implement safety labelling systems, preferably mandatory ones, to accelerate the integration of safer vehicles into the global vehicle fleet. According to experts, such schemes not only directly influence consumer choices but also put pressure on manufacturers to enhance safety features across their entire range.
With this proposal, the organizations responsible for vehicle safety assessments reaffirm their commitment to reducing road fatalities and ensuring consumers have access to accurate, understandable safety information.