UK to Enforce 19 EU Driving Rules

You Voted Brexit for THIS?! Should’ve just stayed in!

So, we left the EU. Regardless of where you stood on Brexit – whether you were marching in the streets waving a Union Jack or rolling your eyes at the telly – the idea was simple, right? Take back control. No more Brussels telling us what to do. But now, in an almost Monty Python-esque twist, it seems EU motoring laws are quietly creeping back in through the exhaust pipe.

19 New Driving Rules… From the EU?!

Yes, you read that right. The UK Government, under the leadership of the Labour Party, is “actively considering” the implementation of 19 EU-mandated vehicle safety technologies — the same ones we were supposed to escape by exiting the union.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, speaking in the House of Lords, confirmed that the Department for Transport is reviewing the list to see which rules the UK might adopt. These aren’t just suggestions. These are full-blown changes that could affect every new car rolling off British forecourts.

To be fair, most of these features are already baked into new cars anyway – but there are suggestions to make use of them compulsory, potentially even updating the Highway Code to enforce compliance.

What Are These 19 “Safety” Systems?

Here’s a rundown of what they’re likely to include — and let me tell you, some of these are genuinely useful, while others feel like your car’s got a superiority complex:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking – lifesaver or heart attack inducer?
• Lane-Keeping Assist – helpful or hijacker?
• Drowsiness Detection, Collision Alerts, Speed Warnings – nagging nanny or second set of eyes?
• Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Seatbelt Reminders, Pedestrian Detection – some sensible, some frankly patronising.
• And yes, even Alcohol Interlock Compatibility – a potential breathalyser fitted to your car.

But here’s where it gets properly dystopian: Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA). A system that doesn’t just warn you you’re speeding – it can actually interfere with your speed. Imagine needing to overtake a lorry and your car says, “Nope, let’s slow down”… cheers for that.

And then there’s the Event Data Recorder, aka the black box. Just like on a plane, it tracks what you’re doing before, during and after a crash. Great for insurance companies. Not so great for privacy.

But Are These Systems Even Effective?

Here’s the real irony. Despite all this new tech, road deaths in the US and globally aren’t going down. In fact, they’re going up. Cars are cleverer, yes. But are drivers?

Recent data shows that many motorists — particularly those who drive less than 10,000 miles a year — are switching these systems off. Not because they’re reckless, but because they’re irritating, intrusive, or just plain confusing. According to IAM RoadSmart, only 25% of drivers regularly use collision warnings or cruise control. Many actively avoid using them.

So what’s the solution? Instead of improving the systems or educating drivers, the proposal is to just make them mandatory. Update the Highway Code. Remove the choice. Let the machines take over.

As a Car Guy, This Is Madness

I’ve reviewed more cars than I care to count, and let me tell you — some manufacturers have nailed it. Subtle systems that work with you, not against you. But many modern cars behave like a back-seat driver on a caffeine binge. Beeping, flashing, braking, steering… like you’re in a fight just to stay in control.

I’ve had cars brake for shadows, steer away from imaginary lanes, and beep like I’m committing a felony by changing gears. And now, these same systems may be legally enforced?

Here’s a thought: forget airbags — put a spike in the steering wheel.

(Not literally. Don’t panic.)

But it’s a powerful metaphor. If you knew every bad decision behind the wheel could actually hurt, you’d be a better driver. That’s how we used to think. Alert, engaged, responsible.

What Ever Happened to Driver Training… or Pedestrian Awareness?

And while we’re at it — can we talk about driver education? Where’s the push for better driving skills? Where’s the Green Cross Code for modern times? Kids used to be taught how to cross the road safely. Now it’s phones in hands, AirPods in ears, and heads in the clouds.

And when there’s a collision? The driver gets the blame, every time.

We’ve created a society that’s relying on machines to keep us safe, rather than teaching people how to behave responsibly around traffic. And that, in my view, is far more dangerous than any lack of driver aids.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t vote for Brexit – but if the point was to stop EU laws from governing British roads, then why are we now voluntarily adopting them? We’ve left the club, but we’re still following the dress code.

Yes, safety matters. But so does freedom, personal responsibility, and the right to choose how your own car operates.

Let’s not legislate common sense out of driving. Let’s build better tech, educate drivers, and keep the driver in the driver’s seat – where they belong.

Over to You:

What do you think about the UK adopting these EU safety laws?

Are these systems helping or harming?

Drop your thoughts in the comments — and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe if you want more content that keeps it real for car lovers.

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