The General Assembly resolution says that the UN: “Invites Member States that have not already done so to consider adopting policies and measures to implement United Nations vehicle safety regulations or equivalent national standards to ensure that all new motor vehicles, meet applicable minimum regulations for occupant and other road users protection, with seat belts, air bags and active safety systems fitted as standard.”

It also endorses the standard fitment of active safety systems.

The resolution supports the ambitious road safety targets now included in the Global Goals for Sustainable Development and also the Global Plan of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020) which provides an integrated and holistic framework for road injury prevention.

David Ward, chairman of the Stop the Crash Partnership, said: “Today's UN resolution is a significant step forward in vehicle and road safety. The Stop the Crash Partnership was created to promote active safety systems with a proven track record in crash avoidance. The recognition and endorsement of this approach by the UN will help accelerate the adoption of the legislation required by governments across the globe to mandate these life-saving technologies.”

The news was also welcomed by the UK’s Thatcham.

Peter Shaw, chief executive of Thatcham Research, said: “We welcome any initiative that will lift the basic minimum legislative requirement to include active safety systems like AEB on all cars. The motor industry and legislators in the UK cannot ignore the overwhelming evidence that AEB can reduce crashes and save lives. It should be standard on all new vehicles as soon as possible.”