The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the growing national focus on vehicle safety technology following the government’s latest Road Safety Strategy, which identifies Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as a key tool in reducing collisions and serious injuries on UK roads.
ADAS features including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, intelligent speed assistance, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are now common across the UK vehicle parc.
As these systems become an everyday part of vehicle design, the IGA is emphasising the importance of correct calibration following repair and maintenance work to ensure safety systems continue to perform as intended.
The association says the effectiveness of ADAS depends on precise calibration and strict adherence to manufacturer repair procedures.
Even minor work can affect system accuracy, increasing the responsibility on independent garages to ensure technicians have the knowledge and competence to manage these systems correctly.
Jonathan Douglass, Director of the IGA, said ADAS now sits at the centre of national road safety policy. “ADAS is now a core component of vehicle safety and a central pillar of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy. Independent garages are at the forefront of ensuring these systems continue to operate correctly after repair and maintenance work,” he said.
He added that the IGA’s role is to support workshops as ADAS becomes more widespread. “Our role is to provide clear, practical guidance and support so members can meet recalibration responsibilities with confidence, accuracy and professionalism as ADAS becomes an everyday part of vehicle servicing,” Douglass said.
The IGA has also highlighted that routine work such as windscreen replacement, suspension or steering component replacement, wheel alignment and body repairs can inadvertently affect ADAS calibration.
The association is encouraging garages to follow manufacturer procedures, ensure technicians understand recalibration requirements, document work carried out and communicate clearly with customers whenever recalibration is required.
To help members manage the growing complexity of modern vehicle systems, the IGA provides a range of practical resources, including its Garage Guide to ADAS handbook, access to a technical helpline and targeted training focused on ADAS awareness and recalibration.
Douglass acknowledged that workshops face real-world challenges when dealing with ADAS. “We recognise that ADAS recalibration can present practical challenges, whether that’s access to equipment, manufacturer data, or ongoing training,” he said. “The IGA is here to help members overcome those challenges, ensuring independent garages can continue to deliver safe repairs and maintain customer trust as vehicle technology evolves.”
