Yes, items that were either non-existent or optional are now mandated or standard equipment. It's also true that a number of purchasers want additional expensive, and expensive to repair, items on their vehicles. So, it's not just the government(s) requiring additional safety features, but individuals want, and sometimes demand, them.
I recall driving an early Prius that had a screen and backup camera. I was quite excited about the technology and thought it would be nice to have in a future car purchase. I saw no need, nor did I have a desire, for anything more. Now it's about 20 years later and I'm desirous of a blind spot monitoring system, a feature that alerts me to oncoming traffic when backing out of parking spaces, an emergency braking system, and possibly adaptive cruise control. What's changed?
Well, my reflexes are quite a bit slower, my upper body's range of motion is not as great, and there are more SUVs and pickup trucks blocking my vision when backing out of parking spaces. So, my physical condition has deteriorated somewhat with age and the environment in which I drive has changed, and become more challenging, as well.
Overall, more people seem to want more safety and comfort features. How many people prefer manual, roll-up windows these days? Who now buys a car without air conditioning? How many new cars are sold with only manual keys to lock-unlock the doors and trunk, and I'm not even talking about the push button starting of the engine. Can you even buy a car these days without power-operated outside rear-view mirrors? Even if possible, I'd not want them. Think of the features you'd want in your new car. Were they even available X-number of years ago?
