Introduction of GSR2: a significant step in the evolution of automotive safety

A new era for automotive safety

The General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) came into effect on July 7, 2024, marking an important milestone in the evolution of automotive safety in Europe. This regulation mandates new safety standards for all new vehicles, including technologies such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, drowsiness detection systems, and the well-known black box. Although these measures are implemented to reduce accidents and save lives, they also raise concerns about the impact on vehicle costs and driver privacy.

The goal of GSR2: reducing accidents and saving lives

First, it is important to recognize that the intention behind GSR2 is undeniably positive. Devices such as lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed adaptation, and infrared cameras for detecting drowsiness are designed to prevent accidents. In theory, these technologies should make roads safer by reducing human errors, which are often the main cause of accidents.

Economic consequences: the impact on vehicle costs

However, these technological advances are not without consequence. The addition of these sophisticated systems inevitably leads to increased production costs for manufacturers, costs that will likely be passed on to consumers. While some claim the financial impact will be minimal, especially for models already equipped with these technologies, it is undeniable that vehicle prices will rise, making new cars less accessible for some buyers.

Implementation challenges: the quality of the systems in question

Moreover, the integration of these devices into existing vehicles raises questions about the quality of their implementation. Many drivers complain about incessant beeping sounds and the difficulty of disabling certain systems, which can quickly become frustrating in everyday life. The idea of being able to disable certain systems, such as the intelligent speed limiter, is provided for in the regulation, but in practice, this task can be complex, limiting users' freedom of choice.

Privacy and security: concerns around the black box

Another worrying aspect is the impact on privacy. The presence of the black box, which records valuable data before, during, and after an accident, raises questions about the management of this information. Although the regulation states that this data will be anonymized and only accessible to national authorities for accident analysis, the mere fact that the vehicle collects and stores so much information can be perceived as an intrusion.

Conclusion: a commendable but imperfect regulation

In conclusion, while GSR2 is designed to improve road safety, it is clear that this regulation comes with significant challenges. Rising vehicle costs and concerns about privacy are not to be overlooked. Furthermore, while the intention is commendable, the integration of these systems into current vehicles often leaves much to be desired, making the user experience sometimes unpleasant. So, while the idea of GSR2 is good, it is often the execution that poses problems, an aspect that deserves reflection and improvement for future developments.