Steering wheels in cars may be banned in China
The Ministry of Industry of the People's Republic of China has published a draft updated national safety standard, which sets out the requirements for vehicles. If it is adopted, the installation of non-standard shaped steering wheels by automakers may be prohibited. This was reported by CarNewsChina on February 13.
The updated regulations involve conducting tests that measure the impact load at ten specific points on the steering wheel rim in the event of an accident. Handlebars with a missing upper rim have no such points, which makes it difficult to comply with the requirements. Thus, if a new standard is introduced, the installation of Formula 1-style steering wheels and other handlebars with a truncated design may be prohibited.
The standard also sets stricter requirements for how much the steering column can shift in a collision and how the airbags deploy. It is assumed that the new rules may come into force on January 1, 2027.
The current standards have been in use for more than 10 years and are considered outdated amid the rapid development of the Chinese automotive industry. It is noted that, according to accident statistics, in 46% of cases, drivers are injured as a result of contact with the steering structure. Traditional round handlebars, unlike truncated ones, provide a large shock absorption area when the driver leans forward.
The new draft safety standard also prohibits the transfer of important car controls to touchscreens.
Earlier, on February 3, it became known that China would ban the production of cars with hidden door handles. China became the first country to approve a corresponding ban. The reason for this was high-profile fatal incidents in which people were trapped in cars. The new rules will also come into force on January 1, 2027.
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