Fleet managers and other transport professionals are being asked whether EU laws should be introduced that demand car manufacturers fit intelligent transport systems and that drivers must use them.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on this issue and wants comments by March 26.

Brussels is looking at how to encourage the use of technology such as emergency braking systems, speed alerts, emergency alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane control systems, electronic tolling, collision avoidance systems and others.

In a memorandum, it said: “Intelligent transport systems contribute to a safe, efficient, sustainable and seamless transport of goods and people.

"However, it looks like acceptance and market penetration of such novel applications and services is low.”

The Commission is attempting to discover from transport professionals what technologies they believe are best suited to improve road safety and transport efficiency, and which legal weapons - compulsory rules or voluntary guidelines - “should best be used to speed up market penetration.”