What's Happening?
Euro NCAP has reported that European trailers built to the continent's mandatory rear underrun protection standard are failing to prevent fatal injuries in crash tests. The tests, conducted at 56 km/h, showed that guards from manufacturers Schmitz Cargobull
and Krone did not perform adequately. Euro NCAP is calling for EU and UK legislators to adopt the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOUGHGUARD standard, which has been voluntarily adopted by 70% of new US trailers since 2017. Rear underrun crashes are responsible for approximately 400 fatalities annually across the EU and UK. The report also highlighted that older advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) fail to detect stationary trailers, making physical guards a critical safety feature.
Why It's Important?
The failure of European trailer guards in crash tests underscores a significant safety gap in current EU regulations. Adopting the TOUGHGUARD standard could potentially save lives by providing better protection in rear underrun crashes. This issue is critical for road safety, as the current standards are not sufficient to prevent fatalities. The call for regulatory change highlights the need for continuous improvement in vehicle safety standards and the importance of adopting proven safety measures from other regions. The adoption of more stringent standards could also influence manufacturers to innovate and improve safety features in trailers, potentially leading to a reduction in road fatalities.
What's Next?
Euro NCAP's findings are likely to prompt discussions among EU and UK legislators about updating trailer safety regulations. The adoption of the TOUGHGUARD standard could become a priority for policymakers aiming to enhance road safety. Manufacturers may also begin developing retrofit solutions for existing fleets to meet higher safety standards. The report may lead to increased collaboration between European and US safety organizations to share best practices and improve vehicle safety globally. Stakeholders, including safety advocates and industry leaders, will likely push for swift regulatory changes to address the identified safety gaps.
