The Labour government is reportedly considering aligning UK vehicle safety laws with the EU's General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2), which could require new cars sold in Britain to be fitted with built‑in alcohol locks (alcolocks) and event data recorders, commonly referred to as black boxes.
The Department for Transport is reportedly holding talks with car manufacturers and trade bodies on implementing the EU's rules, amid official acknowledgement that diverging standards could increase costs for vehicle production and supply, particularly affecting customers in Northern Ireland.
What Are GSR2 Rules?
Introduced post‑Brexit, GSR2 mandates a suite of new vehicle safety features, including:
- Engine‑interlock devices that prevent the car from starting if the driver is over the legal alcohol limit.
- Black-box-style event data recorders capture pre-collision data, such as speed and braking.
- Automated driver alerts for drowsiness and other risks.
While Northern Ireland already follows GSR2 due to Brexit agreements, many see UK-wide alignment as a further step back towards EU regulation.
Political Row: Safety or Subterfuge?
Critics argue the proposals represent a creeping return to EU control under a Labour government, accusing ministers of prioritising regulatory alignment over genuine British independence. Headlines in several newspapers have described the move as symbolic of eroding post‑Brexit sovereignty.
Some commentators further suggest that this shift may be driven more by political symbolism than by practical safety benefits, presenting it as consumer protection in name, while quietly rejoining EU influence through regulatory means.
Industry and Consumer Impact
Vehicle manufacturers reportedly favour alignment. Standardised rules ease production logistics, reducing costs and regulatory burdens and preventing a two‑tier market for England and Northern Ireland.
Nevertheless, detractors say additional tech like alcolocks and recorders could raise the price of new cars, with those costs likely passed on to consumers. They argue that adding these features by default moves beyond rehabilitation tools for convicted drivers to intrusive state overseers.
Public Opinion and Counterarguments
Proponents highlight clear public safety benefits. Alcolocks are already operational in countries such as Belgium, Australia, Canada, and Finland, where courts can require convicted drink-drive offenders to drive only with an alcolock installed.
In the UK, Durham Police and National Express coaches have piloted schemes, though broader implementation remains under review.
A May 2025 RAC poll of 1,763 UK motorists found 53% support allowing courts to mandate alcolocks for convictions, while 56% of those in favour backed mandatory fitting for all offenders, rather than just repeat offenders.
With more than 27,000 repeat drink-driving offenders recorded in England and Wales between 2013 and 2024, road safety advocates argue that court-ordered alcohol interlocks could serve as a practical deterrent, though critics caution against blanket implementation.
Labour's Response: Economic and Safety Logic
Labour ministers say that divergence from EU standards would drive manufacturing costs higher, undermining UK vehicle exports and contributing to wider inflationary pressures. Alignment ensures frictionless trade with the EU and avoids additional tooling or certification burdens for manufacturers.
Officials also emphasise the broad safety benefits of driver assistance systems, crash data, and alcohol interlock tech, arguing that the EU rules represent modern safety norms.
Political Tension: Sovereignty vs Safety
The row aligns with broader tensions over the Brexit legacy. For Brexiteer MPs and campaigners, alignment with EU standards is seen as an erosion of UK autonomy, particularly under a Labour government. They warn Britain risks reverting to EU influence via regulation despite formal separation.
Meanwhile, Labour argues that alignment is pragmatic, not ideological, and driven by market reality and consumer interest in safety and economic efficiency.
At a Glance
- Labour is considering adopting the EU's GSR2 regulation, which requires built-in breathalysers and black boxes in new UK vehicles.
- Critics claim that this represents a creeping return to EU rules, eroding post-Brexit sovereignty.
- Supporters and many manufacturers see the change as a practical means to reduce costs, streamline production, and enhance safety.
- Polling shows a majority of drivers are open to the selective use of alcolocks through court orders.
If implemented, the proposals may redefine UK car safety norms, balancing road safety gains against political signalling over Brexit's legacy and regulatory independence.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
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