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UN: 40 countries agree to require automatic braking systems

GENEVA — A U.N. agency says 40 countries led by Japan and the European Union — but not the U.S. or China — have agreed to require new cars and light commercial vehicles to be equipped with automated braking systems starting next year.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe said Tuesday that a draft agreement reached Feb. 1 is set to be formally adopted in June.

The regulation will require all vehicles sold to come equipped with the technology by which sensors monitor how close a pedestrian or object might be. It can trigger the brakes automatically if a collision is deemed imminent and if the driver doesn’t appear set to respond in time.

The measure will apply to vehicles at “low speeds”: 60 kilometres per hour (42 mph) or less.

The Associated Press