The United Nations has agreed to an Australian-led standard that will cut death and injury in side-impact car crashes.

The global technical regulation on pole side impact will improve protection by requiring curtain side airbags, thorax airbags and better crash sensors in vehicles.

Monash University Accident Research Centre estimates it will save 700 lives and prevent 800 brain injuries over a 30-year period in Australia alone. Side impacts account for more than 20% of Australian road deaths.

The country is working towards harmonising vehicle standards with those agreed by the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations, in a bid to remove trade barriers and make the safest vehicles available to Australians at the lowest cost.

It is the first time Australia has led the development of an international vehicle regulation.

It will now be incorporated into the national standards for motor vehicles, the Australian Design Rules.