EU plans safer, greener and smarter cars
The European Commission has unveiled plans to speed up the development of safer, cleaner and more intelligent cars. Over the next few months the Commission will start talks with European and Asian car manufacturers with the intention of launching automatic EU-wide emergency call technology in all new cars from 2010, as well as promoting other safe and green technologies. To improve road safety, the Commission's new Intelligent Car initiative encourages stakeholders to speed up the implementation of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems for middle-sized and small cars. ESC has speed sensors and separate braking for each wheel that can keep a vehicle under control at high speeds or on slippery roads. According to the Commission, some 4,000 lives could be saved every year and 100 000 crashes avoided if all cars had the ESC system. 'Technology can save lives, improve road transport and protect the environment,' said Viviane Reding, the EU's Commissioner for the Information Society and Media. 'If we are serious about saving lives on European roads, then all 27 Member States should set a deadline to make eCall and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) standard equipment in all new cars. At the same time we need to clear administrative obstacles to innovations that will make cars safer and cleaner,' the Commissioner added. In 2008, the European Commission will propose a plan to roll-out the most effective low carbon dioxide emitting technologies. 'In our fight to halve the number of road casualties by 2010, we are taking action on all fronts - safer drivers, safer infrastructure and safer vehicles. With this action on intelligent cars, the Commission is pushing to ensure that cutting edge technology finds its way into our cars as soon as possible where it will help save lives and reduce the environmental impact of transport,' said Jacques Barrot, Commissioner for Transport. As for smarter road transport, the Commission is calling on all the relevant stakeholders to develop a standard interface to connect mobile navigation devices with other systems integrated into the vehicle. The Commission will also hold a consultation on whether braking assistance and crash avoidance systems should be compulsory in all cars. 'We should fully exploit our technologies and knowledge to the benefit of our societies. We have available technologies to better assist drivers and by doing so we will help avoiding human tragedies. Therefore I proposed to introduce mandatory Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for new cars as of 2011 and I am now waiting for the public reaction,' added Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen.