12. Legislation

General

12.1 Equality - In car Safety

The UK and Scottish Governments should remain aware of the developments and impacts of the ongoing safety testing around the use of a female crash test dummy. If requirements are introduced into EU legislation to use such a seat evaluation tool, the UK Government should also introduce this to ensure optimum safety of UK manufactured vehicles.

12.2 Vehicle Technology

The UK Government should adopt the vehicle safety provisions within the EU’s Vehicle General Safety Regulation which includes AEBS, Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) and distraction monitoring and alert systems. This will ensure all new vehicles manufactured in the UK meet maximum safety standards and ultimately assist in preventing a potentially large number of road deaths.

12.3 Older Vehicles

The Scottish Government should consider the development of a pilot scheme similar to the Mobility and Scrappage Fund with a road safety focus on removing older and potentially less-safe vehicles from the roads.

12.4 Driving Standards

Inclusion of tyre and vehicle maintenance training as mandatory for learner drivers should be considered. An understanding of the importance of ensuring a vehicle is roadworthy alongside practical training on practices such as checking and altering tyre pressure may have a positive impact. This could also form part of a theoretical and practical driving test.

12.5 In-vehicle Technology

Consideration should be given to mandatory installation of Alco-lock devices in vehicles of younger drivers. This could be established through requirements from insurance companies.