Latest news with #GSR2
Auto Express
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
You could soon be forced to keep breathalysers and black boxes in your car
Labour could soon mandate breathalysers and black boxes on all new cars following a rise in drink and drug-driving deaths in the UK. Almost 400 people lost their lives in 2023 following a collision involving someone under the influence. The latest statistics from the Department for Transport show that while the number of people who died as a result of drink driving dipped slightly year-on-year by 14 per cent to a still-significant 260, the number who lost their lives as a result of drug driving rose significantly by 38 per cent to 124 in 2023. Advertisement - Article continues below Against a backdrop of such grisly statistics, Labour is considering adopting the EU's latest GSR2 car safety regulations, which could see the likes of alcolocks (essentially breathalysers that prevent those under the influence from driving), black boxes (which log details such as speed and inputs in the event of a crash) and drowsiness alerts all becoming mandatory in new cars. As of July 2024, all new cars in the EU are required to have been designed with the necessary preparations for an alcolock to be retroactively installed. A black box, however, must be installed from the point of purchase, with existing models expected to receive these updates by July 2026. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Government says that mirroring the EU's regulations, while not obligatory as part of Brexit negotiations, would streamline production between left and right-hand-drive markets, thus helping drive prices down while also improving safety. This has been rebutted by the Conservative opposition, with former party leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, accusing Labour of 'incrementally moving back towards the European Union'. Regardless, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAMRoadSmart, Nicholas Lyes, said that 'While the latest drink-drive-related fatality figures have declined compared to the previous year, the trend over the past decade is troubling and shows that we are stuck in a dangerous rut.' Lyes called on the Government to 'redouble [its] efforts on enforcement, providing the police with the necessary tools to clamp down on drink drivers, while reviewing our approach to both first-time and repeat offenders'. Labour's plans to introduce GSR2 regulations and thus things such as alcolocks is also something supported by the likes of the RAC, which has previously called for their introduction for repeat offenders. The RAC's spokesperson, Rod Dennis, said: 'We've consistently been calling for a change in approach when it comes to reducing alcohol-related road deaths, as it's clear the status quo isn't working. 'Since 2022 we have urged the Government to consider mandating all new vehicles have interfaces that allow alcolocks to be fitted easily,' Dennis continued. 'We are also supportive of police being given the powers to immediately disqualify any driver who fails a drink or drugs test at the roadside.' Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ... Find a car with the experts Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range Five EVs under £24k have joined Dacia's Spring on the UK market. How far can you go on a budget? We find out New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
All new UK cars will have breathalysers and black box-style recorders under Labour plans to align with the EU
New British cars will follow European laws and be fitted with breathalysers and black box-style recorders, amid claims the move is a political ploy by Labour to reset its post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Sir Keir Starmer 's government argues that differences in car manufacturing between Britain and Europe will lead to higher costs being passed on to the customer. But critics argue such a move shows a desire by Labour to closely align Britain to rules and regulations implemented by Brussels. Labour previously agreed the UK would align with EU plant and animal health rules as part of concessions to form a closer relationship with the union. Now Lord Hendy, Minister of State for the Department for Transport, stated earlier this week in parliament that the government 'takes an explicit presumption in favour of alignment' in regards to how cars are manufactured. He added that the government would be 'considering options for requiring the fitment of the safety technologies mandated by the EU's general safety regulation' and would discuss these with individual manufacturers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and the National Franchise Dealers Association. Under the EU, new British and European cars followed the same legislation. But following Brexit, Brussels introduced the General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), which called for different devices and technology to be pre-installed. These include a breathalyser that prevents the car from starting if the driver fails an alcohol test. Event Data Recorders (EDRs), which can provide information on how fast a car was travelling before an accident, and Driver Drowsiness Warning (DDAW), which can alert a driver if they are becoming sleepy, are also required to be fitted into new vehicles. Northern Ireland follows GSR2 rules as part of the Brexit deal to prevent a hard border with the Republic of Ireland. But differences between new cars made under EU and UK rules could mean customers in Northern Ireland would face higher costs for purchasing a new vehicle from the mainland. Labour is understood to back an 'alignment' of the EU and UK safety laws to stop Northern Irish consumers being treated unfavourably. Car manufacturers are also said to see the advantage of aligning the rules. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders told The Telegraph: 'With the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory alignment supports efficient production, keeping costs down for consumers while retaining the widest possible model choice.' But Brexit supporters argue that UK car manufacturers do not need to be led by Brussels and the move is simply an attempt by Labour to woo the EU. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, said: 'This is a game being played out where they keep incrementally moving back towards the European Union.' Mark Francois, chairman of the Conservative European Research Group, added: 'This is still rule-taking from the EU, however you try and dress it up.' Away from the theatre of politics, in-built breathalysers - or 'alcolocks' as they are also known - are actually backed by the majority of motorists as a solution to stopping drink drivers from reoffending. A recent poll by the RAC found 53 per cent of drivers want courts to have the power to order anyone convicted of drink-driving to have alcolock breathalysers installed in their cars. Support for the interventionist approach comes as a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA found 27,000 individuals were convicted of multiple drink-driving offences in the 11 years leading up to July 2024. On the back of this evidence, the RAC is pushing for the Government to take up this method - already in use in other countries including Australia, Belgium and parts of the US - in a bid to reduce drink-driving. Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: 'Too many lives are lost and ruined by drink-driving. 'It's also very apparent that many of the drink-drivers caught by the police are reoffenders which implies something different needs to be done to change this dangerous behaviour.' Alcolocks – what are they? Could they become standard? Not everyone will have heard of alcolocks or alcohol-interlocks as they're properly known. Alcolock is actually a brand name – founded in the 70s - but has become the common name for breathalysers fitted to the car's ignition system. Once fitted a driver has to provide an alcohol-free breath sample in order to start the engine – usually blowing for five seconds. If there's little to no alcohol the engine will start. If it exceeds a set level it won't start. There are various options as to how they're mandated and who pays for them: For instance, courts could mandate them for reoffenders only, or anyone convicted of drink-driving. In other countries the fitting is generally paid for by the offender, although in cases of financial hardship the state can step in to cover the cost. However, it's worth noting that the EU introduced new rules in July 2024 requiring all new cars sold in the EU to be 'prepared' to have an alcolock fitted.
Telegraph
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Brexit row as Labour aligns with EU on breathalysers for British cars
'Following the UK's exit from the EU, differences between UK and EU regulations mean some manufacturers make cars specifically for the GB market,' said a government spokesman. 'This can add costs to the manufacturing process, which are liable to be passed onto GB consumers, so we're considering aligning with EU car safety regulations to keep car prices down.' Unlike the animal health rules, the European Commission has not asked the UK to align on car safety, which is a purely British decision. British and European law were identical, but in 2022, after the UK left the EU, Brussels introduced the General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), which means the rules have diverged. From July last year, all new vehicles in the EU have had to be pre-installed with an interface allowing a breathalyser-based locking system to be connected to the car. This system stops the car working if the driver fails the breathalyser test. The GSR2 also requires Event Data Recorders (EDRs) – similar to airplane black boxes – and Driver Drowsiness Warning (DDAW) in new vehicles. DDAW uses technology to monitor drivers and alert them if they appear to be getting sleepy, while EDRs record data such as the speed travelled before an accident. GSR2 rules already apply on all cars sold in Northern Ireland, which continues to follow many EU rules under the Brexit deal to prevent a hard Irish land border. Divergence risks making it more difficult for Northern Irish consumers to access the British car market, with fears it could push up costs if it continues for much longer. The Government believes that aligning with the EU rules will protect the UK's internal market and mean Northern Irish drivers can keep buying from the mainland. It told The Telegraph all regulatory changes were assessed for their impact on safety and cost. It has already changed British law to mirror Brussels' regulations on in-car e-call systems. The systems automatically contact emergency services if there is a serious accident. There have also been moves to create the legal base for the installation of the breathalyser technology, but not yet to make it mandatory. Even though the safety technology is not compulsory in Britain, many manufacturers install it already because their vehicles are destined for the EU market. Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: 'With the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory alignment supports efficient production, keeping costs down for consumers while retaining the widest possible model choice.' Sam Lowe, a trade expert and partner at Flint Global, said: 'Ensuring you only need one type approval for the entire European market is a cost saver for anyone selling across all the different countries even if the UK for example had a distinct, better or more simple, regulation. 'The savings have to be pretty big to offset the cost of doing things twice and slightly differently.' 'Alignment by stealth' However, industry sources and the Government said there was some evidence that manufacturers had begun making cars just for the British market, which is the second largest in Europe. Brexiteers said that proved that divergence could work and accused the Government of 'alignment by stealth'. Labour has used statutory instruments, a mechanism to update legislation, to mirror the EU changes to regulations already on British law books as a legacy of bloc membership. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader, said: 'They are sneaking this through because statutory instruments do not end up in debate. This is a game being played out where they keep incrementally moving back towards the European Union. This is their plan. This is not a one-off.' Sir Iain said that aligning to typically more draconian EU rules would make cars more expensive and trade deals with car-producing countries, such as the US, harder. 'It screws up all your trade potential elsewhere. Your negotiating capacity is massively reduced,' he added. 'We lose all the competition, all the trade potential, and we lose control. Because now some faceless bureaucrats in Brussels run the UK, which is what we left the EU to stop.' Mark Francois, the chairman of the Conservative European Research Group, added, 'This is still rule-taking from the EU, however you try and dress it up. Our car industry is already under massive pressure from Chinese dumping of electric vehicles on world markets, so something which stifles domestic innovation and adds to regulatory burdens hardly helps.'
