The evolution of road safety: a changing landscape

In recent years, road safety has become a strategic priority for the European Union and local authorities, driven by a growing awareness of the need to reduce accidents and road casualties.

The first step has been increasing social awareness: it is now clear that safety is not just a matter of individual responsibility, but also of vehicle and infrastructure design.

This is the context for the adoption of new European regulations, such as EU Regulation 2019/2144, which requires manufacturers to equip vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems. These regulations not only set new minimum safety standards, but also stimulate technological innovation, encouraging the integration of smart devices for safer and more responsive mobility in the face of real risks.

Emerging technologies: innovations for road safety

As anticipated, digital evolution is introducing increasingly advanced solutions, capable of transforming the driving experience and improving the effectiveness of infrastructure. New technologies not only support the driver but also actively contribute to creating a safer, interconnected, and predictive road environment.

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)

Driver assistance systems (ADAS) are today among the most effective tools for preventing accidents: integrated directly into vehicles, they support the driver while driving, intervening in emergencies or cases of distraction.

The main technologies included in ADAS systems are:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): detects sudden obstacles and autonomously activates the brakes to avoid collisions;
• Lane Keeping Assist: monitors lane markings and corrects the trajectory in case of unintentional deviation;
• Blind Spot Detection: alerts the driver to the presence of other vehicles in areas not visible through the rearview mirror.

From July 2024, according to European regulations, these systems have become mandatory on all newly registered vehicles, making ADAS a standard component of road safety.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA): for speed limits

Intelligent Speed Assistance is a system designed to help drivers comply with speed limits, one of the main risk factors in road accidents.

It works by combining GPS and cameras that read road signs, automatically warning or limiting the speed of the vehicle.

The system provides three levels of intervention:

• Informative, with a simple warning to the driver;
• Supportive, with slight resistance on the accelerator pedal;
• Interventionist, with automatic limitation of the vehicle’s speed.

Here too, ISA will be mandatory on all new vehicles registered in the EU from 7 July 2024, representing a key measure for speed control in urban and extra-urban contexts.

E-Call: automatic emergency call

The eCall system is designed to ensure rapid emergency response in the event of a serious accident, reducing response times and improving rescue prospects.

In the event of a significant impact, the system automatically makes a call to 112 and sends emergency services essential data such as:

• the exact location via GPS;
• the estimated number of passengers;
• the type of vehicle involved.

eCall has been mandatory for all type-approved vehicles in the EU since 31 March 2018 and is one of the most important innovations in passive safety.

Alcolock: preventing drunk driving

To combat driving under the influence of alcohol (one of the main causes of serious road accidents), the Alcolock system was introduced.

This device is connected to the vehicle’s ignition and requires the driver to take a breath alcohol test before starting the engine. If the blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit, the vehicle will not start.

In Italy, Alcolock will be mandatory from July 2025 for drivers convicted of drunk driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.8, as a preventive measure to avoid repeat offenses and improve overall road safety.

Smart infrastructure and road sensors

Alongside the evolution of vehicles, infrastructure is also becoming “smart”, thanks to the use of sensors, data connections, and artificial intelligence.

The Italian Smart Roads, promoted by organizations such as Anas, are based on:

• IoT sensors and camerasfor real-time traffic monitoring;
• V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure) communication systems, connecting vehicles with traffic lights, variable message signs, and other roadside devices.

These infrastructures allow for dynamic traffic management and quick responses to dangerous situations, increasing the overall safety of the road system.

Safe Join: innovation for road signage

Safe Join is a technological solution that improves visibility and safety at critical points of the road network, such as blind intersections, tight curves, and low-visibility access points. It is not just a traditional road mirror, but a patented system designed to ensure maximum visibility in all weather conditions.

Distinctive features of Safe Join

Safe Join is the road mirror equipped with:

• anti-fog and anti-ice systemthat ensures clear vision even in rain or low temperatures;
• integrated solar panel, allowing autonomous operation without the need for electrical connections;
• resistant and lightweight design, designed for easy installation and minimal maintenance over time.

These features make it a practical and sustainable solution for any urban or extra-urban context.

Benefits for local authorities

For local authorities, investing in solutions like Safe Join means adopting an intelligent approach to road safety management. The device does not require invasive works or complex electrical systems, allowing for targeted interventions even in peripheral or hard-to-reach areas. This increases safety with low costs and reduced installation times.

Furthermore, the device meets the standards set by European safety regulations, helping to achieve the objectives of sustainable and safe mobility defined in SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans) and other urban planning tools.

Towards a safer future with new road technologies

The evolution of mobility is driven by ever-closer integration between vehicles, infrastructure, and support technologies that can increase safety and reduce the impact of human error.

In this context, solutions like Safe Join play an essential role: thanks to their effectiveness in conditions of poor visibility, rain, fog, or at critical points of the road network, they make a real contribution to accident prevention and the improvement of daily traffic flow.

For these innovations to become more widespread, the commitment of local authorities is essential: through targeted choices, tailored projects, and sustainable mobility plans, public bodies can drive change and guarantee greater safety for communities.

👉Safe Join is already part of this future. Contact us to find out how to integrate it into your city’s projects.