All contents copyright ©, Drive and Stay Alive, Inc., 2003 onwards, unless specified otherwise. All rights reserved.
IMPORTANT: click here to read the DISCLAIMER |
|||||||||
|
European Parliament Transport Committee
Urges the Introduction of
Frontal Protection Systems on Motor Vehicles
21 January, 2005
|
|||||||||
|
Standard tests for frontal protection systems on cars
Parliament's Transport Committee called for tougher safety standards for frontal protection systems on road vehicles when it adopted a report on Wednesday on a Commission proposal setting out tests for such systems, which include bull bars. Car manufacturers have already made a voluntary agreement with the Commission not to install "rigid bull bars" on new cars. This new draft directive, however, details the tests for approving all frontal protection systems. MEPs are anxious that frontal protection systems should be designed in a way that improves pedestrian safety and reduces the number of injuries.
European, Japanese and Korean manufactures made a voluntary commitment with the Commission not to install so-called ”rigid bull bars” as frontal protection systems on new vehicles from 2002. The European Parliament, in June 2002, adopted a non-binding resolution welcoming the ban. This new proposal goes further and lays down tests that must be complied with by frontal protection systems either as originally fitted to a vehicle or put on the market as separate technical units. The aim is to improve the protection of pedestrians and mitigate the severity of injuries to them and other vulnerable road users in the event of a collision with a vehicle fitted with such a system.
In order to comply with the proposal, frontal protection systems will have to pass a number of tests with regard to aggressiveness towards pedestrians and vulnerable road users. The requirements consist of four tests (based on the recommendations of the European Enhanced Vehicle safety Committee, or EEVC) which will be required to be carried out on these systems in order for them to be acceptable for use. The Transport Committee, in amendments adopted, tightens up some of these tests.
The committee stresses that tests should require that frontal protection systems be designed in a way that improves pedestrian safety and reduces the number of injuries. Furthermore, the committee emphasises that the directive is aimed at improving pedestrian and vehicle safety through passive measures. The committee agrees that the scope of the directive should be limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. MEPs also introduce a review clause, stating that the Commission should review the technical provisions of the directive, in the light of technical progress and experience, no later than four years and nine months after it has been published. Other amendments adopted by the committee change the date for the entry into force of the directive. The final report was adopted with 40 MEPs in favour, 0 against and 4 abstentions.
Ewa HEDKVIST PETERSEN (PES, SE), the rapporteur, stated that she hoped that the directive could be adpoted at first reading and she would be holding an informal trialogue before the plenary vote in Strasbourg.
Systems providing additional frontal protection of motor vehicles have been increasingly used in recent years. Some of these systems constitute a risk to the safety of pedestrians and other road users in the case of a collision with a motor vehicle. It is estimated that ”pedestrian-friendly” car designs could avoid up to 2000 pedestrian and cyclist deaths each year in the EU.
19.01.2005 Committee
on Transport and Tourism
Press
enquiries:
Source: Energy and Transport in Europe
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
