PRIORITIES FOR EU MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY DESIGN

d) Injury classification schemes need to take proper account of non-life threatening injuries
such as “whiplash.”
11. Safer car fronts for pedestrians and cyclists
a) Introduction of EU Directive requiring the four EEVC sub-system tests for the protection
of vulnerable road users
b) Consumer information e.g. through EuroNCAP
c) Research on head injuries caused by the windscreen surround
Car design for crash prevention
12. Reducing vehicle speeds
a) Work is required to develop harmonised standards for Intelligent Speed Adaptation
systems with the aim of eventual universal fitment.
b) In the meantime, encouragement should be given to manufacturers providing ISA
systems via the European New Car Assessment Programme to enable the consumer to
start benefiting from a voluntary system.
13. Reducing driver impairment
a) Further work is required to develop practical driver impairment systems and to
understand their effectiveness and acceptability.
b) Consideration should be given in developing such systems in combination with an
electronic driving licence system.
14. Improving conspicuity
a) It is recommended that early consideration is given to a mandatory fitment requirement
for daytime running lights in the EU.
15. Improving braking and stability
a) Research would help to ascertain whether anti-lock braking systems alone have a role to
play in accident reduction.
b) Monitoring of braking assistance systems is required to determine how well they can
identify and respond to the driver’s intended braking behaviour and to determine their
accident reduction potential.
c) Monitoring of the dynamic stability systems being made available by car manufacturers is
needed to determine their influence on accident occurrence.
Motorcycle design to improve safety
a) Daytime running lights and anti-lock braking systems should be mandatorily fitted to
motorcycles.
b) Further research is urgently needed:
- to determine seating positions with a relatively high seat elevation and upright body
position to reduce the possibility of lower leg entrapment
- to provide leg protection to protect the wearer from the impact of external forces and
to serve as an element that affects the trajectory in a positive way
- to develop suitable airbags to provide riders with protection in frontal impacts
Heavy goods vehicle design
a) Development of a test specification for energy-absorbing front underrun protection is
needed towards a mandatory fitment requirement.
b) Rear and side underrun protection legislative requirements need to be amended to
reflect needs identified by accident research.
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