Eurotran40

A new report from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has stated that EU rules on safety approvals for new cars need a revision and must include ‘driving tests’ for automated and fully-autonomous vehicles.

ETSC said that the EU needs to have answers for several research and regulatory questions before allowing these vehicles to be put on sale.

Priority must be given to ensure that the promised safety benefits are delivered in real world driving, the report added.

The EU will have to address whether or not autonomous cars are capable of following road rules in 28 European nations.

It will also have to look into how autonomous vehicles respond to other human-driven vehicles, as well as with other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

ETSC executive director Antonio Avenoso said: "Automated vehicles are already starting to appear on Europe’s roads, but regulators are still stuck in the slow lane.

"It is crucial that we get a much greater understanding of what the real world safety benefits would be, and what new risks would be introduced before these vehicles are put on sale."

Meanwhile in the short term, the ETSC has urged the EU to make mandatory installation of effective and proven driver assistance systems including automated emergency braking and overridable intelligent speed assistance in all new cars.

ETSC has also recommended the need for new EU framework for approving future automated technologies as well as fully autonomous vehicles.

The report also suggested that the EU needs to update driving license regulations to reflect the need for drivers to learn how to safely take back command from automated driving systems.

EU rules on road infrastructure safety will also have to be updated to include requirements for automated and semi-automated vehicles such as clear road markings.

ETSC added that carmakers need to be transparent in disclosing collision data for automated vehicles so that the information can be used to help prevent future collisions.

Image: A Google automated car. Photo: courtesy of European Transport Safety Council.