European Union mandates new safety technologies for all new vehicles

New European Union regulations have introduced mandatory safety technologies for all new vehicles registered in member states, including France. As of July 7, all new cars must be equipped with infrared cameras designed to monitor driver attention. These cameras, located near the rearview mirror or steering wheel, can detect distractions such as smartphone use, drowsiness, or eyes wandering from the road, triggering an alarm if the driver is distracted for four seconds while traveling above 50 km/h.

Additionally, Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) technology is now mandatory. This system uses radar and lasers to detect obstacles or other vehicles and can trigger automatic braking starting at speeds of 10 km/h to protect pedestrians and cyclists. While these advancements aim to reduce urban accidents, they add an estimated cost of 400 to 800 euros per vehicle, leading to discussions about potential exemptions for certain small city cars.

In the context of electric vehicles, the integration of these technologies has transformed the windshield from a simple glass surface into a complex electronic housing. Modern windshields now support a cluster of sensors, including front-facing cameras for lane keeping and sign recognition, rain sensors, and light detectors. Consequently, replacing a windshield on a modern electric vehicle requires specialized expertise to ensure all electronic components are correctly recalibrated to maintain original precision.