Campaigners have called on the Government to urgently update car safety rules by giving the green light to install life-saving defibrillators in all new cars.
The JumpStart campaign has reiterated its calls for Labour to introduce new measures to include critical devices in vehicles, as data shows it could save thousands of lives.
As part of a review, the Department for Transport is looking at whether the scope of recommended safety equipment in vehicles should be strengthened.
JumpStart has welcomed confirmation that it will be consulted as part of the DfT’s review, which could examine whether Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) should be on the recommended safety equipment list for vehicles.
The campaign cited the King’s Speech, which outlined commitments to healthcare reform and mandating new vehicle safety technologies.
It suggests that this could include a potential framework for a defibrillator mandate and address the 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year.
JumpStart added that including defibrillators on the list of recommended safety equipment in cars could act as a “stepping stone” to mandating the inclusion of AEDs in all new vehicles.
Drivers are currently encouraged to have a first aid kit, a warning triangle and high-visibility clothing in the event that they are involved in an accident.
Experts have called on the Government to add defibrillators to the recommended safety equipment list for vehicles
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GETTYThe campaign group said it would be contributing to the DfT’s workshops and meetings over the coming months to explore potential additions to the recommended safety equipment list.
Jon McLeod, from the JumpStart campaign, said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to reviewing how safety and emergency equipment in vehicles can save more lives, and we are pleased to be offering expert evidence and expertise as part of that process.
“Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains one of the most time-critical medical emergencies, and survival depends on rapid CPR and defibrillation, ideally within three to five minutes.”
However, he warned that AEDs are often locked in cabinets or not immediately close to where they need to be used, while vehicles could provide an immediate solution.
Experts say installing defibrillators in cars could save thousands of lives | PA
Mr McLeod noted that vehicles could act as “mini-ambulances” by housing defibrillators and reducing any delays in getting people life-saving treatment.
JumpStart confirmed that it would be working with the Department for Transport to explore potential next steps and would provide an update in due course.
It proposed including Automated External Defibrillators in grey fleet vehicles as an initial solution.
In recent months, the DVSA introduced new questions to the driving theory test on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use automated external defibrillators.
An example question on defibrillators in a theory test | DVSA
This aimed to raise awareness of certain medical events which could arise, with hundreds of thousands of novice drivers learning about the processes.
There are more than 100,000 defibrillators around the UK registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network.
It is independently operated by the British Heart Foundation, in partnership with the Resuscitation Council UK, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, and the National Health Service.
Speaking previously to GB News, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The Government has no plans to make it a mandatory requirement to fit defibrillators in cars.”