What will the new European safety standard “GSR2” change for cars?

Safety options such as intelligent speed limiters and alcohol immobilisers are now mandatory for all new cars sold in the European Union.

“GSR2”: this acronym probably doesn’t mean much to you, but it is the acronym for the new European safety regulation – for “General Safety Regulation” – which now applies to all new cars sold from Saturday July 7 in the European Union.

In concrete terms, all models from different manufacturers must now be equipped with numerous mandatory options in order to improve the safety of drivers and passengers.

These options include drowsiness and attention detection, autonomous emergency braking, alcohol immobilizer predisposition, alert regarding loss of attention or drowsiness, intelligent speed limiter, obstacle detection in reverse, emergency stop signal and the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

It is difficult to put a precise figure on the cost of the new safety equipment, which most mid-range and high-end models already had. In fact, a simple additional sensor can perform several functions, according to automotive experts. But it probably represents around a few hundred euros for small entry-level models.

But some started from further back, like Dacia. The low-cost brand of the Renault group launched the third generation of the Duster SUV before the application of the new standards, because it would have been both too expensive and technically complicated to equip the second generation released in 2018. Indeed, some radars require, for example, on-board electronics that it did not have. Finally, Renault and Stellantis, the two large French groups, assure that they were able to homologate all their models on time.

However, this new regulation which ensures greater road safety does not make everyone happy. “The problem is that all these tools bring a probability of breakdown to the vehicle”deplores Pierre Chasseray, general delegate of the association 40 million motorists, on franceinfo. According to him, it is all these tools “which means that modern vehicles, especially electric ones, break down more often than traditional vehicles”.

Added to this is the increase in the cost of its tools, including “some justify themselves” while “others are a bit gimmicky”. “When you add electronics, you increase the cost and the probability of failure”summarizes Pierre Chasseray.

The general delegate of the association 40 million motorists nevertheless recognizes the usefulness of certain electronic tools already obligatory such as ESP (Electronic Stability Program), allowing to control the trajectory of the vehicle, or even ABS, a system which prevents the wheels from locking in the event of sudden braking. “These measures have been generally positive”he admits. On the other hand, he “doesn’t see the point” to install a “Black Box” to record vehicle data: “It doesn’t prevent the accident, it doesn’t even explain it in its entirety, it only allows you to see when someone brakes or accelerates”adds Pierre Chasseray.