Parliamentary council urges UK gov to support EC safety proposals

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.”

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