Lack of Awareness About Mandatory Car Safety Features
A recent survey conducted by RACE, Spain’s equivalent of the AA, has revealed that most drivers are unaware of the advanced safety systems now mandatory in all new EU-registered vehicles. The survey of over 1,000 motorists found that 66% couldn’t name a single safety system required by law, while only 34% had even heard of these technologies.
The New Safety Systems
Since July 2024, all new vehicles sold in the EU must be equipped with ten Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard. These include:
- AEB (Emergency Braking)
- LKA (Lane Keep Assist)
- RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
- ISA (Intelligent Speed Assist)
- DDR (Driver Drowsiness Detection)
- SBR (Seatbelt Reminder)
- EDR (Black Box)
- Alcolock Interface
- ESS (Emergency Stop Signal)
- TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring)
These safety features are no longer optional but are legally mandated under EU Regulation. Vehicle manufacturers must comply with these requirements or face penalties.
Concerns About Connected Cars
The survey also revealed mixed opinions about connected cars that provide real-time updates on traffic, petrol stations, and weather. While 78% of respondents agreed that this technology makes roads safer and 76% believed it improves traffic flow, 65% expressed concerns about privacy, fearing that their personal information might be misused.
Furthermore, many drivers feel that Spain’s infrastructure is not yet ready to support smart driving, with 40% citing outdated roads and 21% pointing to slow and unclear legislation as significant issues.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with technology, it’s clear that there’s a need for greater awareness among drivers about the safety features in their vehicles and the infrastructure to support them.
