Upcoming regulations that will change how vehicles are made are set to cause huge disruption to motorists with a disability and the adaptations industry. These changes aim to improve overall vehicle safety through the introduction of new cybersecurity and software regulations, but there have been warnings that the updates could inadvertently impact disabled peoples' ability to drive by making it harder or impossible to fit many specialist driving aids and vehicle adaptations.
Upcoming cybersecurity regulations will mark a significant shift in the automotive industry's approach to vehicle safety. The new UNECE Cyber Security (UN R 155) and UNECE Software Updating (UN R 156) regulations, which become mandatory from July 2024, are designed to mitigate the risks of cyber-attacks and unauthorised access to vehicles.
However, as we delve into the specifics of these regulations it becomes clear that they inadvertently create new challenges for many of the driving adaptations that currently help motorists with a disability to steer, accelerate and brake.
Matthew Walker and Martin Peaker, Managing Director and Group Engineering Manager at ABC Mobility Group, owner of Mobility in Motion, are working to raise awareness of the issue and ensure that disabled peoples' needs are not forgotten.
In a recent article, Mathew and Martin highlight the complexity of navigating all of the rules and guidelines that affect vehicle aids and adaptations for disabled drivers. The challenges they and the rest of the adaptation industry face are increasing because of the growth of electric vehicles (EVs), the shift towards autonomous technology and the introduction of the aforementioned new UNECE regulations.
They warn that these new regulations will make it harder for the adaptation industry to adapt standard vehicles for disabled drivers, potentially excluding them from the improved safety benefits as the industry struggles to ensure their products stay compatible.
The UK and European adaptation industry is trying to work with regulators and vehicle manufacturers to ensure inclusivity, but they’re finding it challenging due to the industry's relative size and the lack of communication from vehicle manufacturers.
There are many vehicle adaptations that could be affected. Two driving adaptations that Martin highlights in the article are push/pull hand controls and electronic accelerators. He warns that 'these safety upgrades pose compatibility challenges for driving adaptations designed for individuals unable to use traditional pedals. Lane-keeping assistance and driver drowsiness awareness systems, while improving vehicle safety for fully able-bodied drivers, may require turning off for a disabled driver thus denying them the safety benefit’.
New vehicle technologies have often overlooked the unique needs of disabled drivers, causing issues with existing adaptations. Matthew and Martin also believe that collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders are essential in developing guidelines on accessible EV design, ensuring that new models cater to the diverse needs of all users. The UK Government-backed Motability Scheme (which provides an affordable way for disabled people to lease a brand new vehicle) has emphasised the importance of such collaboration for many years, advocating for tailored advice and inclusive EV design to address the challenges faced by disabled individuals in accessing and adapting EVs.
To address all of these issues, industry bodies like the European Mobility Group (EMG) and the Association of Vehicle Adaptation Manufacturers (AVAM) are working with other groups to influence regulations and standards. Collaboration and access to technical data from vehicle manufacturers are crucial for creating inclusive automotive solutions.
Matthew believes that 'access to technical data from [car manufacturers] is imperative to the future of the vehicle adaptation sector'. He also points out that the adaptations industry is often 'blindsided by unanticipated technological barriers when retrofitting vehicles, leaving the industry in a constant reactive state and hindering our quest for inclusivity'.
The lack of communication with the vehicle manufacturers forces the adaptation industry to repeat engineering activities, causing delays in adapted vehicle availability and an unnecessary cost, which is ultimately paid for by the disabled driver.
The regulatory constraints and rapid technological advancements in the automotive industry present ethical dilemmas regarding the basic rights of every motorist with a disability.
Urgent partnership among regulators, vehicle manufacturers, and the adaptation industry is necessary to overcome these challenges and forge a future where every new vehicle is accessible to all, reaffirming the rights of disabled motorists everywhere and promoting a more inclusive automotive landscape for the estimated 1.3 billion people globally who live with a disability.
Sources
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/EST0062-Motability-Report-v15.pdf
