In a written answer on 6 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné told the European Parliament that the Commission sees no evidence that mandatory driver assistance systems interfere with emergency-response driving, and that drivers can always override or switch off the systems. Responding to a question from MEP Lena Düpont (PPE), Séjourné stressed that while ambulances are not exempt from the advanced safety systems mandated under the General Safety Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, drivers remain in control and can deactivate the systems at the start of each trip. He also pointed to a planned 2027 evaluation of the safety systems, which could lead to amendments if needed.
The answer comes amid concerns raised by emergency organisations that systems such as advanced emergency braking, emergency lane-keeping, intelligent speed assistance, and driver drowsiness and attention warning could delay critical operations. Séjourné clarified that Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on vehicle approval applies optionally to vehicles adapted for civil protection, fire services, and public order forces, and that ambulances are defined as special purpose vehicles with specific requirements. However, he noted that ambulances are not exempted from the General Safety Regulation's mandates, as the systems can still offer safety benefits when vehicles are driven outside the emergency-response regime.
The Commission's position is that no specific issues have been reported with these systems in ambulances during emergency driving. Séjourné's answer does not announce any immediate regulatory change, but signals that the 2027 evaluation will be the key opportunity to reassess the technical requirements. This leaves open the possibility of introducing harmonised exemptions or emergency-response modes in the future, depending on the outcome of that review. For now, the Commission relies on the existing override and switch-off mechanisms to address operational needs, a stance that may not fully satisfy emergency services seeking more tailored solutions. The answer also underscores a broader tension between maximising road safety through mandatory assistance systems and accommodating the unique operational demands of emergency vehicles, a balance that will be revisited in the upcoming evaluation.