Press Release: Automotive supplier industry, cities and campaigners call on EU industry ministers to back new vehicle safety standards without delay

26 November 2018
 

Brussels – A coalition of automotive supplier companies, cities and groups campaigning for greater road safety (1) are calling on EU Ministers of Industry to give their full support to a proposed package of new vehicle safety measures at the EU Competitiveness Council meeting on Thursday 29 November. At the meeting in Brussels, industry ministers will outline their initial response, known as a “general approach”, to a package of 16 vehicle safety measures proposed by the European Commission in May.

The coalition, representing €600 billion of annual sales and 5 million jobs in the automotive industry across the EU, together with city authorities, traffic police, safety and sustainability advocates, cyclists, pedestrians and victims groups, says the European Union should adopt the measures without delay and guarantee the safety benefits of the full package without deprioritising certain measures or further delaying the implementation of the draft regulation.

Sigrid de Vries, Secretary General of CLEPA, representing automotive suppliers said:

“The General Safety Regulation represents the next big step for the safety of Europe’s drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. CLEPA strongly supports all the elements of the proposed text.

Besides reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, the introduction of new safety measures will decrease road congestion, CO₂ emissions, emergency service requirements and related economic costs.  New safety requirements will also push forward European research, development and innovation, contributing to generate growth, jobs and investment in the European Union.”

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC, the European Transport Safety Council said:

“With progress stagnating on reducing the 25,000 deaths and 135,000 serious injuries every year on EU roads, it is essential that these measures are adopted in full, and without delay.  This is a historic opportunity to reduce death and serious injury on our roads – especially amongst vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.  It is also a fantastic example of EU leadership that has a clear and obvious value to every European citizen.  Industry ministers should welcome these measures with open arms.”

Following the agreement among industry ministers, the legislation is subject to committee and plenary votes in the European Parliament and final negotiations between the institutions in a process that is likely to last several months.

(1) This press release is sent on behalf of the following organisations:

ANEC – The European consumer voice in standardisation

European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)

European Transport Safety Council (ETSC)

EUROCITIES

European Cyclists Federation (ECF)

FEVR – European Federation of Road Traffic Victims

International Federation of Pedestrians (IFP)

POLIS – Cities and Regions for Better Transport

TISPOL – the European Traffic Police Network

Towards Zero Foundation

Transport and Environment (T&E)