Islamabad: The European Union this week introduced a new set of advanced vehicle safety requirements for all newly registered passenger cars and vans, marking another step towards its long-term goal of eliminating road fatalities by 2050 under its Vision Zero strategy.
Effective from July 7, 2026, all new cars and vans sold across the EU must be equipped with additional safety technologies designed to better protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists, while reducing accidents caused by human error and driver distraction.
Under the latest regulations, newly registered vehicles are now required to feature advanced emergency braking systems capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists, enhanced driver distraction warning systems to help motorists remain focused, improved forward visibility, stricter safety testing for worn tyres and expanded safety glass areas aimed at reducing injuries to pedestrians during collisions.
The new measures build upon the EU’s General Safety Regulation, under which several vehicle safety technologies became mandatory for new cars and vans in 2024. European authorities said the latest requirements were introduced in phases to provide manufacturers sufficient time to develop and integrate the more technically advanced features.
The European Union said the enhanced standards are expected to significantly improve road safety by encouraging wider adoption of advanced driver-assistance systems, strengthening protection for vulnerable road users and helping reduce crashes linked to distracted driving.
Despite having some of the safest roads globally, the EU continues to record thousands of deaths and serious injuries from road accidents each year. Officials said the strengthened safety regulations form part of a broader strategy to move as close as possible to zero road fatalities by 2050, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to safer and more sustainable transport.
