European Commission extends short-range anti-collision radar authorisation

Date: 1/8/2011

The European Commission (EC) has taken the decision to extend the authorisation of the 24 GHz radio frequency band for short-range anti-collision radar in vehicles until 2018.

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, noted that the body has removed a possible barrier to the fitting of this radar in cars and the industry can now develop new systems for its use.

"Widespread fitting of short-range radar systems in cars could significantly enhance road safety for all road users and pedestrians," she went on to say.

This move means that short-range systems can stay on the market until new technology is introduced using the 79 GHz band.

Currently, just 0.05 per cent of vehicles in Europe are equipped with the 24 GHz band radar systems, with these predominantly luxury models.

The announcement comes after the EC proposed the revision of tachograph legislation to help reduce administrative tasks and make fraud harder to conduct.

Tachographs can measure motorists' driving time, rest periods and breaks in order to help boost road safety and enforce regulations.

Posted by Mary Treen