Peter Shaw, Chief Executive of Thatcham Research says: “We welcome any initiative that will lift the basic minimum legislative requirement to include active safety systems like AEB on all cars. The motor industry and legislators in the UK cannot ignore the overwhelming evidence that AEB can reduce crashes and save lives. It should be standard on all new vehicles as soon as possible.”

Peter Shaw was responding to a resolution adopted today by the United Nations General Assembly which represents the strongest ever commitment on road safety made by UN Member States. The resolution supports the ambitious road safety targets now included in the Global Goals for Sustainable Development and also the Global Plan of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020) which provides an integrated and holistic framework for road injury prevention.

The resolution invites Member States that have not already done so, to consider adopting policies and measures to implement United Nations vehicle safety regulations or equivalent national standards to ensure that all new motor vehicles, meet applicable minimum regulations for occupant and other road users protection, with seat belts, air bags and active safety systems fitted as standard 

Active safety systems refer to vehicle technologies which rather than protecting people during a crash can avoid the crash from happening at all. They include:

Electronic Stability Control: most significant advance in vehicle safety since the introduction of the seat belt and one of the most important crash avoidance systems currently available.

Autonomous Emergency Braking: AEB is an advanced safety technology that can help drivers avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles or vulnerable road users.

ABS for Motorcycles: for motorcycles prevents wheel lock-up and ensures bike stability as well as optimal deceleration while braking.

Click here to download a copy of the UN resolution.