New safety systems have become mandatory for newly sold cars in the European Union as part of a wider effort to reduce road accidents and protect vulnerable road users. Since July 7, 2026, manufacturers must equip new vehicles with additional technologies required under the EU’s General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), officially known as Regulation (EU) 2019/2144.
Among the newly required features are advanced driver distraction warning systems and improved emergency braking technology. The first system uses an infrared camera to monitor the driver’s head and eye movements, helping detect signs of distraction. The second expands automatic emergency braking capabilities, allowing vehicles not only to detect other cars but also pedestrians and cyclists. For the first time, automatic emergency braking also becomes mandatory for new trucks.
The changes are part of a gradual EU timetable designed to give car manufacturers enough time to introduce the technologies. The systems were already required on new vehicle models launched since 2024, but from July 2026 the rules also apply to older models that remain in production.
The new requirements apply only to vehicles registered for the first time after July 7, 2026. Existing car owners do not need to install additional equipment, and technical inspections will not require vehicles already on the road to have these systems.
