Obligatory new technology to improve safety on Britain's roads, particularly for those who are partially sighted or hard of hearing

MEPs have today backed new plans to introduce mandatory acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) to new electric and hybrid cars in order to protect vulnerable road users. Currently these vehicles emit very little sound which is particularly dangerous for partially sighted and blind pedestrians.

Initial proposals from the European Commission called for the installation of an AVAS system to be done on a voluntary basis only. However the European Parliament successfully introduced an amendment making this a mandatory requirement for all electric and hybrid vehicles within five years of this Regulation being implemented.

The acoustic warning devices will make a sound very similar to that of cars with a regular combustion engine so that people will be able to clearly hear these vehicles, allowing them to judge how safe a road is to cross, for example.

Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands commented:

"It is good to see more people making the switch to more environmentally friendly cars such as hybrids and electric vehicles, but we have to ensure that this doesn't jeopardise the safety of blind and partially sighted people.

"Installing sound generators will ensure that all pedestrians are able to hear these vehicles and cross the road safely.

"By working at an EU level we have been able to use our collective clout to put pressure on car manufacturers and prevent needless accidents in the future, this is just another example why Liberal Democrats are the party of In Europe."

The final text of the report can be found here

Guide Dogs (formerly Guide Dogs for the Blind Association) campaigned for the introduction of AVAS for electronic vehicles at EU level