More driver assistance systems are set to become mandatory from 7 July this year. This will be an addition to the previous assistance systems, which are already mandatory (ABS, brake assistant, parking assist, ESP, traction control, TPMS, belt warning system and lane change assistant). This will apply to all new vehicle manufacturers and must be installed as standard. Retrofitting on previously registered vehicles is not compulsory. We will provide an overview of all these assistance systems in this blog post. But why are more and more assistance systems becoming mandatory? The reason: They help to ensure safety on the road and should ideally lead to fewer accidents in the best case scenario. These eight assistance systems will soon be mandatory:
Active lane departure warning system
This is intended to help the driver to stick within the lane and road markings. If the driver does not remain within these markings, a warning signal is generated, often in the form of a vibration in the steering wheel. In some cases, the ESP® also intervenes independently when it detects the vehicle leaving the lane. This assistant is of great importance, considering that every sixth accident on German roads is caused by vehicles leaving the road.
Intelligent speed assistant
This assistance system is called ISA (Intelligent Speed Adaption). It can determine the currently permissible maximum speed using GPS data and traffic signs. It helps the driver by providing corresponding information or by braking the vehicle. The warning is given either via a display in the cockpit or via a pulsating accelerator pedal.
Accident data memory (black box)
Already in use for many years in aircraft, it will now also be used in motor vehicles. The black box stores all relevant data relating to an accident. This includes, for example, braking, the position of the vehicle on the road and the driven speed. However, only a few seconds of time is recorded and correspondingly taken into account for accident analysis.
Emergency brake assistant
The emergency brake assistant intervenes automatically when the required safety distance is undershot, right up to full braking if necessary. The aim is to prevent an imminent collision, for example due to inattentiveness on the part of the driver, with other vehicles or objects. The assistant calculates this using sensor signals (speed and distance from the front vehicle). There is also a City emergency brake assistant. This is designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Fatigue detection or attentiveness monitoring
With this function, the alertness or decreasing concentration of the driver is constantly monitored. For example, the system detects closed or frequently blinking eyes or unusual steering movements. The cockpit can then indicate to the driver that a break is required (usually in the form of a coffee cup symbol). Some of these systems also feature acoustic or vibration alarms to prevent the driver falling asleep for a few seconds, for example.
Emergency stop light/adaptive brake light
This assistance system is intended to prevent collisions as far as possible by signalling abrupt braking/full braking at a speed of 50 km/h. This means that all rear lights are switched on and the brake lights flash quickly. The hazard indicator is added when the vehicle is at a standstill. It is also activated when the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is active.
Reverse assistant
Simple, but very useful. When reversing, the reverse assistant provides an acoustic, and in some cases visual, warning against obstacles and/or vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. This is supported by a rear view camera or a radar or ultrasound system located in the rear of the vehicle. This is also helpful in tight parking spaces.
Alcohol-sensitive immobilizer
Only system preparation in the form of a standardised interface is planned here initially. This would make it possible, for example, to retrofit an immobilizer that reacts to alcohol or connect a control device for alcohol measurement. This prevents driving under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle can only be started if the driver is sober, otherwise the starter is blocked.