The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 4th that domestic automobile manufacturers and importers must, starting in September, be required to install a function that automatically turns on headlights and taillights at night. The move follows concerns that accidents occur due to so-called "stealth cars" that drive at night with headlights and taillights off.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said the partial revision to the rules on the performance and standards of automobiles and automobile parts will be promulgated on the 5th. Under the revision, starting in September, automobile manufacturers and importers must equip vehicles with a function that detects ambient brightness and automatically turns on headlights and taillights. Violations are subject to a penalty surcharge of up to 2% of sales under Article 74 of the Motor Vehicle Management Act.
Existing vehicles also had an automatic lighting function, but drivers could choose whether to use it depending on the situation. All vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles, are subject to the rule.
Safety standards for electric vehicles will also be strengthened. In one-pedal driving, where vehicles can accelerate, decelerate, and come to a stop using only the accelerator pedal, accidents often occurred because the brake lights did not turn on even as speed decreased; this has been improved. Under the new standard, when deceleration of 1.3 m/s² or more occurs, the brake lights will automatically turn on to help prevent rear-end collisions by following drivers.
The strength standard for rear underrun protection on medium and heavy trucks and special-purpose vehicles will also be strengthened to prevent accidents in which following vehicles are pulled underneath in a rear-end collision.