SYDNEY, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia, once a global leader in vehicle safety, is now lagging behind Europe in adopting life-saving technologies, experts warn.

Australia's road toll hit a 12-year high in 2024, with 1,300 deaths, up from 1,258 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics.

As road fatalities rise, calls for stronger safety regulations are growing, an article on the website of the Melbourne-based Australasian Fleet Management Association said on Wednesday.

Ingrid Johnston, CEO of the Australasian College of Road Safety, pointed out a concerning case where an Australian-sold vehicle lacked safety features included in its European counterpart, and that Australia's vehicle safety standards are falling well behind those in Europe.

"You might think that you've got an identical vehicle to what's being sold in Europe, but the Australian version is going to have had safety features removed. It's just not acceptable," the article quoted Johnston as saying.

Europe has embraced advanced safety measures like "eCall," which automatically alerts emergency services after a crash, and driver monitoring systems that detect drowsiness or distraction, she said, adding these technologies remain optional in Australia despite their proven effectiveness.

Automakers often exclude safety features in Australian models to cut costs since they are not legally required, said Johnston, calling for strengthening vehicle safety standards, enforcing smarter road policies, and implementing advanced safety technology. Enditem

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