ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) are the driving assistance systems that more and more vehicles are incorporating to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the roads. In 2019, the European Union approved Safety Regulation 2019/2144, which indicated which of these elements and technology new cars must have.
From the July 6, 2022 This regulation came into force and all vehicles that are approved from that date onwards must have a series of ADAS that we will analyze now. Now this norm is more topical since since the July 6, 202424 months, all new cars registered in Europe must be equipped with these 10 driving assistance systems:
Tire pressure monitoring (TMPS)
The TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) system controls that the tire pressure is always maintained within the ranges recommended by the manufacturer. When a wheel does not have the appropriate pressure, it notifies the driver: The most basic ones simply illuminate a warning light on the instrument panel with the icon of a tire or with the letters TPMS in orange. Some are capable of indicating which of the tires has low pressure or even the pressure and temperature of each wheel at all times.
Automatic emergency braking (AEB/AEBS/PEBS/SCBS)
This is a system with acronyms that vary depending on each manufacturer. It automatically reduces the speed of the vehicle when it detects a risk of collision, also increasing the braking pressure. If driving at low speeds it is capable of stopping the car completely and at high speeds it can greatly reduce speed to minimize the effects of the collision.
The most advanced systems detect pedestrians and cyclists in addition to other vehicles. This improvement comes into effect on July 7, 2024 for newly homologated cars and within two years, for newly registered cars.
Emergency braking signal (ESS)
Very related to the previous one. Automatically flashes the brake lights if ABS is activated or in the event of a sudden stop to warn drivers behind you and avoid rear-end collisions.
Lane keeping system (LKA, LKS, LWD)
It is a technology that recognizes the lines that delimit the road and acts on the direction of the vehicle to keep it within the limits of the lane. In this way, you avoid leaving the road due to distractions.
Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Also known as reverse exit assistant, it warns the driver of the presence of vehicles, people or objects that may cross behind the car when reversing out of a parking lot.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
There are manufacturers who call it intelligent speed assistant (ISA) or Tempomat. It is capable of not only keeping the car at a certain speed, but also detecting preceding vehicles and adapting that speed to the traffic, maintaining a safety distance that can be preset by the driver. These systems are also capable of recognizing road signs and, if the driver wishes, the car does not exceed the legal limit or warns him/her with an acoustic and/or light signal if it exceeds it.
Drowsiness and Distraction Detection (DDR)
This is a system that monitors the driver and warns that a break is necessary if a lack of concentration or symptoms of fatigue or sleep are detected.
Rear seat belt reminder (SBR)
An audible or visual warning (or both) alerts the driver if any of the car's occupants have not fastened their seat belt. The idea is to encourage the use of seat belts, which greatly reduces the possibility of dying in an accident. It is activated after traveling the first few meters or exceeding 25 km/h, and usually sounds increasingly louder until the occupants put on their seat belts.
Pre-installation of anti-start breathalyzer
One of the great novelties, although for now passenger cars are only required to have pre-installation. In the case of buses, it is already mandatory alcohol interlock, a device that prevents starting the vehicle if it is not first blown through a breathalyzer that is connected to the starting system. If the test is positive, the car is blocked for 30 minutes. Once that time elapses, the test can be repeated. It may seem trivial, but in Spain driving under the influence of alcohol is the second cause of accidents. Little joke.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
What everyone popularly knows as a black box. Records data from 30 seconds before an accident to 5 seconds after. These are variables such as speed, revolutions, braking, force of impact, direction, accelerator position, operation of airbags, belts and other assistants… in no case personal data of the driver, images or sounds. So that? Well, in this way, manufacturers will be able to know the circumstances under which an accident occurred and correct them in future vehicles.
Why so many security systems in cars?
These ADAS systems help correct human errors, avoiding accidents or at least helping to mitigate their effects. The data handled by the European Commission is that, if all vehicles had them, more than 25,000 deaths and 140,000 serious injuries could be avoided from 2022 to 2038. The DGT points out that the severity of accidents would be reduced by 57% and more avoided. of 50,000 accidents.
Beyond the obvious, a second objective is to improve the competitiveness of EU car manufacturers on the global market. Also provide the Union's first legal framework for the future implementation of autonomous cars.
