General Safety Regulation: Final Negotiations are Underway

With unprecedented numbers of people walking, cycling and using e-scooters, the demand for a safer urban environment is ever increasing. The vehicles that cities will allow on their roads will have to be cleaner and much safer than today. The review of the General Safety Regulation is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring such vehicles into the urban and public space.

For local and regional authorities, two innovations in particular can deliver benefits for the urban environment: Intelligent Speed Assistance and an improved standard for trucks and vans cab design.

Local and regional authorities must invest in the maintenance of infrastructure – be it digital or physical - and speed enforcement. Intelligent Speed Assistance needs to be more than a simple informative system, in order to maximise the return on investments. It should actively help the driver respect the speed limit and can potentially pave the way for integrated C-ITS as well as connected, cooperative and autonomous vehicles. Sixteen organisations collaborating in the ISA Working Group of the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities are asking for a swift rollout of the technology in this manifesto.

Heavy goods vehicles are disproportionately responsible for deaths of pedestrians and cyclists in cities, often because of poor cabin visibility. Urbanisation is leading to an increased demand for goods, services and construction works, bringing heavier vehicles on city streets. The European institutions can now make these vehicles fit for purpose in urban areas. A quick introduction of a direct vision, differentiated standard for all trucks and vans allowing the driver to see clearly through the side and front windscreen, can drastically reduce the risk for cyclists and pedestrians.