I think you misunderstood my message. Driver Assistance systems are not an NCAP requirement as such, but are needed to get 5 star ratings. So consumers have the choice - they can buy Dacias etc which don't fit any, but get 1 star ratings or go for cars which have higher safety ratings. Most manufacturers want to see their cars getting higher ratings as this generates more sales, so market forces encourage them to provide the assistance systems. Insurance companies also increase their premiums for cars with lower NCAP ratings, which is another driver as customers want cars with cheaper insurance. 

 

My car has traffic sign recognition built in, which works when signs have the required design and are clearly visible. But they will not be recognised when they just show numbers or are hidden by overgrown trees etc. Clearly no manufacturer can accept responsibility for councils not maintaining their signs, or using signs saying "20 when light is flashing".

On 13/05/2023 at 08:44, Yogi-Bear said:

 

I disagree. If they sell a car that advertises ‘traffic sign recognition’ as a feature in the UK, then it has to function in the UK or they would fall foul of the Consumer Rights Act. It doesn’t matter if they have to offer it as a feature or not due to safety regulations, if they do offer it then it has to work.

You'd need deep pockets to win that one, I think!  My guess, is that it WILL work, "most" of the time.  good luck proving that it sometimes doesn't!

On 13/05/2023 at 11:14, CJJE said:

I think you misunderstood my message. Driver Assistance systems are not an NCAP requirement as such, but are needed to get 5 star ratings. So consumers have the choice - they can buy Dacias etc which don't fit any, but get 1 star ratings or go for cars which have higher safety ratings. Most manufacturers want to see their cars getting higher ratings as this generates more sales, so market forces encourage them to provide the assistance systems. Insurance companies also increase their premiums for cars with lower NCAP ratings, which is another driver as customers want cars with cheaper insurance. 

 

My car has traffic sign recognition built in, which works when signs have the required design and are clearly visible. But they will not be recognised when they just show numbers or are hidden by overgrown trees etc. Clearly no manufacturer can accept responsibility for councils not maintaining their signs, or using signs saying "20 when light is flashing".

Yes, that's the thing.  "Encouraged" by Euro NCAP, but not a legal requirement in the UK.  It'll be interesting to see how that works out, post-Brexit, as for the type approval tests, there is a catalogue of various EU speed limit signs that the systems HAVE to recognise.  DfT is (I think) secretly hoping that the fact that Northern Ireland has the same signs as us, means we might be able to piggyback off that, because NI has to stay in regulatory alignment with the EU.