Are breathalysers and black boxes coming to all new cars in the UK?
The UK Government could back 'alignment' with EU car legislation, making new safety kit mandatory
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By Craig Hale
Last updated: 30 July 2025
Black boxes and equipment to fit breathalysers could soon be fitted to all new cars in the UK, if the government follows through on its plan to align with EU regulations.
Following Brexit, Britain and the EU have followed different rules for car safety measures. The EU has since introduced the 'General Safety Regulation 2' (GSR2), affecting all new car models from July 2022, with existing models needing to be updated by July 2024.
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What does GSR2 mean for new cars?
The current requirements to meet GSR2 include Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS), Emergency Lane Keeping System (ELKS), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Reversing Detection (REV) and an enhanced head impact zone.
Phase three of GSR2 affects new car models from July 2024 (requiring existing models to be updated by July 2026) and makes black boxes (aka 'Event Data Recorders' or EDRs) and the equipment to fit breathalysers (alcohol-interlocks) mandatory.
The Department for Transport says that aligning with European standards would prevent car makers from having to adapt their cars for two nearby regions (Northern Ireland already follows GSR2).
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) acknowledged that this is currently little more than speculation, as the UK Government is yet to confirm whether it plans to align with European regulations.
Its CEO, Mike Hawes, wrote: "With the heavily integrated nature of the UK and European automotive sectors, regulatory alignment supports efficient production, keeping costs down for consumers while retaining the widest possible model choice."
"Alcolocks are not mandatory in the EU – as anyone who has rented a car there will know – and alignment would not make this a requirement in the UK. However, the UK should stay at the forefront of vehicle safety, and manufacturers already offer various advanced safety technologies to consumers ahead of any regulations in the UK, as they seek to ensure our roads remain as some the safest in the world," Hawes added.