The insurance and automotive industries have agreed a set of requirements that will ensure vehicles with ADAS equipment can be repaired, serviced and maintained while continuing to bring essential road safety benefits.  

The new requirements ensure that manufacturers’ technical specifications are adhered to in car repairs, making sure that ADAS features continue to provide vital safety benefits post-repairs

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – effectively in-vehicle electronic systems that can aid road safety by assisting the driver with tasks or safety responses – are increasingly commonplace on today’s fleet and privately owned vehicles. According to figures, the number of ADAS-enabled vehicles on UK roads now stands at 4.5 million and is growing exponentially as carmakers ramp up the use of the latest driver assistance technology, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keeping Systems, on today’s new cars.

The new Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) have been issued by Thatcham Research on behalf of its insurer members and bring clarity to repairers, ensuring that manufacturers’ technical specifications are adhered to in car repairs, ensuring ADAS features continue to operate safely post-accident.

While the IIR are chiefly of interest to the automotive repair industry, their publication will also ensure drivers and fleets can have confidence that the correct method of repair is being followed and that vehicles will be returned with ADAS features functioning in the condition it was in before an incident occurred.

Commenting on the importance of the new document, a spokesperson for National Windscreens said: “This ensures that safety features on the vehicle are being restored to full functionality, by accredited ADAS calibration technicians. With the increasing numbers of vehicles with safety systems coming as standard, the safety of the driver and their occupants along with other road users is paramount. The robust IIR gives the automotive repair sector, and National Windscreens confidence in the continuation of ADAS calibrations to the highest standard.”

The IIR, the accompanying guidance and more information can be found at: https://www.thatcham.org/insurance-industry-requirements/