The European Union (EU) recently announced plans that would require trucks and cars to include technology that discourages speeding and data recorders to document the details of accidents.

The plan, which was announced on March 27, will apply to all vehicles on European roads by 2022. Part of the proposal would require that vehicles be outfitted with smart speed assistance capable of identifying speed limits with the aid of mapping systems and the ability to restrict engine power, ensuring that drivers observe those speed limits. However, drivers will also be able to override the system by pushing on the gas pedal harder. Likewise, onboard data recorders would further discourage speeding by recording the speed of the vehicle.

Other safety features proposed by the plan include outfitting vehicles with systems that alert drivers when they show signs of distraction or drowsiness; cameras to prevent back-up collisions and sensors to keep cars in the correct lanes; and advanced emergency braking that detects obstacles and activates the brakes if the driver does not respond. Similarly, buses and trucks will be required to add a system to prevent collisions with cyclists and pedestrians in their blind spots.

The safety features, which exist in a number of high-end vehicles already on the road, are meant to reduce the estimated 25,000 deaths happening on European roads each year.

The recently announced measures were agreed on during negotiations between European national governments, the European Commission and the European Parliament.