Europe plans vote on vehicle safety rules

Proposals in the European parliament to help reduce the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed on Scotland's roads are being supported by SNP MEP Ian Hudghton.

The SNP MEP and Party President is a member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee and has been involved in the negotiations to bring forward the new regulations.

This week the European Parliament will vote on plans to improve vehicle safety standards and the SNP MEP will be voting in favour of the proposals.

The proposed new EU regulation would lay down a set of new performance tests required of all new vehicles and their frontal protection systems, including so-called 'bull-bars'. It would also introduce compulsory new braking systems to optimise stopping times and allow for the introduction of more sophisticated collision avoidance systems.

Mr Hudghton commented:

"As a Scottish MEP and a member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee I believe that we've struck the right balance between the interests of pedestrians and cyclists and the interests of road users and car manufactures.

"There is more we can do to reduce the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed and injured on our roads. I commend all efforts, including those of the Scottish Government, to improve the situation and I am confident this EU package will help reduce casualties on Scotland's roads.

"In putting together this package of measures, I've been pleased to see the European Parliament and the European Commission work out a series of requirements to be made of vehicle manufacturers. These are not overly burdensome and car makers will get enough time to implement them.

"The new rules will require so-called bull bars to pass the same performance tests as the vehicles on which they are to be mounted. We need to avoid bull-bars being put on vehicles simply as decoration without hampering their necessary use in agricultural areas.

"Car makers will also be required to install more advanced braking systems in new cars as well as prepare for the introduction of more sophisticated collision avoidance systems. All in all, this is a welcome set of proposals that should make our roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists."

Notes:

The vote will take place on Tuesday 17th June

Across Europe some 8,000 pedestrians and cyclists are killed and 300,000 are injured every year on the roads. In Scotland in 2006 there were 2,822 pedestrian casualties (including 61 killed) and 767 cyclist casualties (including 10 killed).