Parliamentary council urges UK gov to support EC safety proposals

A key UK safety body is calling for legislative action on European Commission vehicle safety proposals. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) wants the EC’s third mobility package to be adopted by the UK government. These measures are part of the Juncker Commission’s initiative to implement less polluting vehicles in Europe and provide more advanced technological solutions. This package outlines a new road safety policy framework for 2020-2030 and is accompanied by two legislativ
May 18, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

A key UK safety body is calling for legislative action on 1690 European Commission vehicle safety proposals. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) wants the EC’s third mobility package to be adopted by the UK government. These measures are part of the Juncker Commission’s initiative to implement less polluting vehicles in Europe and provide more advanced technological solutions.

This package outlines a new road safety policy framework for 2020-2030 and is accompanied by two legislative initiatives: one on vehicle and pedestrian safety, and one on infrastructure safety management.

The EC is proposing new vehicles are equipped with advanced safety features to tackle road fatalities – which reached 25,300 in the EU last year. These solutions include advanced emergency braking and lane-keeping assist systems for cars, or pedestrian and cyclist detection systems for trucks.

A carbon dioxide emissions standard for heavy-duty trucks is being set up to help the EC meet its agenda for a low-emission mobility system. Under these rules, trucks from 2025 must have 15% lower CO2 emissions than in 2019, while a reduction of 30% will be mandatory from 2030. An action plan for batteries will also be put forward to “create a competitive and sustainable battery community” in Europe.

Additionally, the EC plans to implement a strategy to make Europe a “world leader” in connected and automated mobility. The initiative is intended to make transport safer, cleaner, cheaper and more accessible to elderly people and those with reduced mobility.

David Davies, PACTS executive director, says: “This is an opportunity to ensure that modern safety features are fitted as standard, not as options. Over the years, the UK has been at the forefront of developing safer cars and higher standards in Europe.”

Davies adds that the proposals do not require government spending and the cost to motorists and business will be small as many vehicles already have the safety features: “It will be excellent value for money as road collisions and casualties have huge social costs – £36 billion in 2016 for the UK.”

A full copy of the safety measures is available %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external here false http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3708_en.htm?utm_source=ETSC&amp;utm_campaign=51839e192d-20180517_pr_mobpackiii&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_3a7b55edbf-51839e192d-307152661 false false%>.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Uber suspends Barcelona service after new regulations introduced
    February 5, 2019
    Taxi-hailing giant Uber is suspending its service in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The move comes after new regulations were passed by local authorities, according to Reuters. The company started its UberX service in the city last year. But from now on, passengers using ride-hailing services will have to wait at least 15 minutes after booking a ride before they can be picked up – thus negating one of the key selling points of companies such as Uber. Speed and convenience – as well as cost – are w
    Read More
  • Lime and rivals form Nordic Micromobility Association
    August 29, 2019
    Lime and its competitors Tier and Voi have formed the Nordic Micromobility Association to promote safety standards for electric scooters. The association will seek to strengthen relationships between Nordic cities and micromobility businesses as well as reduce emissions. Earlier this year, Voi announced its plans to launch e-scooters in Lisbon as part of a wider ambition to expand in Europe. The association’s members are not the only companies working to improve the safety of e-scooters. Last ye
    Read More
  • European Start-up Prize for Mobility reveals first 150 projects
    February 11, 2019
    The European Start-up Prize for Mobility has whittled down 568 entrants to 150 projects. These will go on to the next stage of the competition – the second year that the accelerator programme for sustainable mobility options has been run – when their number will be reduced to 50 later this month. The organisers say more established start-ups have entered this time, with 58% in business for more than three years, and an average of 14 employees. “This is partly explained by the maturing and expansion
    Read More
  • UK Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians need roads with them in mind
    January 12, 2018
    Cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians would prefer improvements on Highways England's (HE's) road network to be open to all types of user – but safely, with areas of greater risk identified and appropriate interventions made, according to a new report from Transport Focus (TF). The independent watchdog engaged with these road users across the UK who stressed the importance of the network in affecting their everyday lives. Key findings showed that safety is of crucial importance to all three groups when
    Read More

Highlighted Content