The European Union (EU) is pushing ahead with the approval of a compulsory regulation that will insist cars and vans sold in Europe have new “brake assist” systems and also meet detailed and tough requirements on frontal protection systems.

It is the latest initiative sponsored by EU institutions to force manufacturers into making their vehicles less deadly to pedestrians.

Voluntary guidelines were followed by a 2003 directive on compulsory safety standards, but despite this being updated two years later, an EU assessment has concluded that its requirements are not technically feasible.

So, the European Commission tabled an EU regulation – which automatically applies across the EU – which has now been approved in principle by the European Parliament’s transport committee.