EU mandates Emergency Stop Signal for new cars from July 7

The European Union has adopted a regulation that from July 7 all newly registered passenger cars must be equipped with an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), a system that flashes the brake lights during rapid deceleration to warn following drivers.

The ESS activates only when the vehicle is traveling above 50 km/h and decelerates faster than 6 m/s², using onboard sensors to distinguish emergency braking from normal slowing. The measure targets rear‑end collisions, especially at high speed or in low‑visibility conditions, and is based on research showing that flashing lights attract faster driver reaction than steady illumination.