A New Era Begins in Vehicle Safety in the European Union…

The European Union has implemented another important step under the General Safety Regulation (GSR / EU 2019/2144) aimed at reducing traffic accidents. With the new regulation, which came into effect on July 7, 2026, certain advanced safety systems, previously only mandatory for vehicles receiving new type approval, will now be required on all new vehicles registered for the first time in the relevant vehicle categories.

Advanced safety systems are now mandatory for all new vehicles as of July 7, 2026. The European Commission announced that the regulation aims to reduce fatal traffic accidents in line with the “Vision Zero” goal. The difference between “new type approval” and “new registration”:
The most confusing point of the regulation is these two concepts.
From July 7, 2024, newly developed vehicle models receiving EU type approval for the first time were required to carry the relevant safety systems.
The transition period ended on July 7, 2026. From now on, all new vehicles in the same vehicle classes that will be put on the road for the first time in the EU must meet these requirements, regardless of how old the model is. Thus, models with older type approvals that are still in production can also be sold in compliance with the new safety requirements.

Which systems stand out?
The following systems are particularly noteworthy in this new phase:

-Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW)
-Advanced emergency braking system (AEB) that can detect pedestrians and cyclists
-Improved forward visibility
-New performance tests for worn tires
-Enlarged safety glass area for pedestrian protection
The European Commission states that these systems have now become standard in the relevant vehicle categories after the transition period granted to manufacturers.

How does ADDW work?
ADDW is a safety system that continuously monitors the driver’s attention.
Cameras or equivalent sensors placed behind the steering wheel;
-It analyzes the direction of gaze,
-eye movements,
-head position,
-behaviors indicating distraction.
When the driver leaves the road for an extended period, the system provides a visual or audible warning, redirecting their attention back to the road.
An important point here is data security. European Union regulations require the system to be designed as a closed-circuit security system that only provides instant warnings, not as a surveillance system that continuously records images.
What does this mean for heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers?
The EU General Safety Regulation covers not only cars but also trucks, buses, light commercial vehicles, and trailers with different timelines. However, not every safety system becomes mandatory on the same date for all vehicle classes; obligations vary according to M1, N1, N2, N3, M2, and M3 categories. Therefore, manufacturers need to act according to the type approval and registration schedule for the relevant vehicle class.

For those exporting vehicles from Türkiye to the European market or producing according to EU type approval;
-BMC
-Mercedes-Benz Türk
-Ford Trucks
-Anadolu Isuzu
-Karsan
-Otokar
Manufacturers such as MAN Truck & Bus, whose production is for European operations, are required to comply with these technical requirements in the relevant vehicle categories.

Does it affect owners of existing vehicles?
-No.
The new regulation does not impose a retroactive obligation on vehicles already on the road. The obligation applies only to new vehicles that will be registered for the first time after the relevant date.

-Conclusion;
The European Union’s new safety phase is considered an important step towards making driver assistance systems standard equipment in the automotive sector. In particular, driver attention monitoring, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and the widespread adoption of advanced braking technologies will continue to be decisive in the product development processes of manufacturers offering vehicles to the European market in the coming years.

Source: https://www.kamyonum.com.tr/haber/AB-de-Arac-Guvenliginde-Yeni-Donem-Basladi/46748