Road safety is the number one priority for all automotive manufacturers, and this commitment, combined with innovation, is why the UK has some of the safest roads in the world.
Manufacturers continually refine vehicle design and construction to improve both passive and active safety systems, ahead of regulatory need – in fact, many of the systems that industry has proactively developed ultimately become standardised requirements. For instance, Intelligent Speed Assist, which became mandatory on new vehicles in the European Union in 2024, has been available and fitted to vehicles in the UK since 1994.
Technologies such as blind spot information systems and advanced emergency braking systems are developed thanks to massive industry investment and save thousands of lives both in the UK and overseas.
As well as engineering new safety technologies, the automotive sector engages proactively with government and regulators to develop new legislation, ensuring it is effective and technically achievable. For instance, SMMT works closely withbodies including the UK government, TfL and UNECE to develop new regulations such as the Direct Vision Standard, and the innovative systems required to deliver successful, safe outcomes.
