ECF has added its voice to a range of stakeholders, from road safety organisations, cities, and user groups to representatives of the automotive industry calling on European Parliament MEPs to  implement a range of vehicle safety measures that would have a huge impact on the number of fatalities and serious injuries on European roads.

This would also be the first time that motor vehicles can be focussed on combatting the fatalities and serious injuries of those outside of the vehicle including pedestrians and cyclists. We have been calling for the mandatory implementation of Intelligent Speed Assistance, Automatic Emergency Braking, and better Direct Vision from lorry cabs for a long time.

What has happened so far?

• The Commission brought out an excellent report which mandated all those safety measures[1]
• The European Parliament brought out an excellent draft report that supported the main body of the Commission report[2] – we would urge the other members of the Europeans Parliament IMCO committee to support this draft report

Now we await the input from the third of the EU institutions, the European Council.

Ministers will meet on the 29^th November to finalise their initial response. This statement by these stakeholders calls on ministers to support the Commission and Parliament positions. In particular;

• An intervening and assisting Intelligent Speed Assistance – this system warns the driver when he/she is over the speed limit. It is essential that this system is one that assists the driver in the driving task by providing haptic feedback through the accelerator (through a resistance and feedback on the pedal) rather than through an annoying beep or flash on the dashboard.
• Automatic Emergency Braking for cars and HGVs – AEB for pedestrians and cyclists on all new vehicles would be an excellent tool for reducing impacts on the roads. However its effectiveness is hugely increased when used in conjunction with an assisting ISA system.
• Better Direct Vision for HGVs – this is something that ECF has been working no for a long time. HGVs, if they are to enter urban areas must be fit for that purpose. A very high driving position and tiny ineffective windscreen/side windows are not sufficient for detecting cyclists and pedestrians in and around the vision of the HGV cab. We would call on Member States to reduce the long lead in time for this technology and to implement better direct vision as soon as possible

There are a raft of other excellent measures including better bonnet design/testing, Event Data Recorders, tyre pressure monitors and others. This is the list of organisations releasing the statement;

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)