As of this Monday, July 6, all cars registered from this day forward, must mandatorily incorporate advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to prevent distractions and for emergency braking, as established by the European Union (EU) regulation on the general safety of vehicles.
ADAS are technological solutions integrated into vehicles to improve the safety of both the driver and passengers, as well as other road users such as pedestrians or cyclists, in addition to enhancing the driving experience. The European Union has been imposing their mandatory inclusion for new models over the years with the goal of reducing accident fatalities to zero by 2050.
The driver-assistance system aims to reduce accidents primarily caused by tiredness, fatigue, and distractions. Sensors on the steering wheel or cameras monitor facial features and determine when the driver is distracted based on the duration and direction of their gaze. As for the emergency braking system, it ensures that braking is performed with the necessary intensity to stop the car, minimizing the distance when responding to a possible collision with pedestrians or cyclists, meaning it tries to prevent run-overs.
The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has been implementing various ADAS in recent years. Exactly one year ago, the mandatory requirement for new vehicles to incorporate at least another ten ADAS came into force, including the intelligent speed assistant to respect speed limits or the rear camera with cross-traffic detection that helps with reverse maneuvering. Furthermore, new vehicles registered since a year ago must also include the adaptive cruise control system, which maintains the programmed speed continuously when activated, and the tire pressure monitoring system, which alerts the driver when the parameters are not correct.
