MEPs Knock Bull Bars Off Cars

4.33.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th May 2005

MEPs will vote today (Thursday) to ban 'rigid bull bars' on new cars in a bid to reduce injuries to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

A new EU law [1] will set tougher safety standards and lays down strict tests to improve pedestrian safety and reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a collision.

Latest Government statistics show that 7,803 pedestrians and 2,411 cyclists were seriously injured, some fatally, on UK roads during the previous year. In London in the same period, 1,433 pedestrians and 438 cyclists were killed or seriously injured.[2]

The Transport Research Laboratory estimates in Britain the changes would prevent almost 140 deaths and over 1500 injuries among pedestrians and cyclists each year.[3]

London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Sarah Ludford has welcomed the safety changes. She said:

"Driving a car has become much safer with the introduction of airbags and assisted braking, but pedestrians have been overlooked.

"The adjustments needed to car design are relatively minor, yet have the potential to significantly reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our roads."

ENDS

[1] Procedure : Codecision (1st reading)

Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the use of frontal protection systems on motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC (COM(2003)0586 - C5 0473/2003 - 2003/0226(COD)) Ewa HEDKVIST PETERSEN (PES, SE) Doc.: A6-0053/2005

[2] Government transport statistics - Road Casualties Great Britain: 2003 Annual Report published 2004: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_031683.pdf

[3] Information from Graham Lawrence, head of pedestrian protection at the Transport Research Laboratory (The Times 3 March 2005)

[4] ] EuroNCAP, the independent authority that measures vehicle crashworthiness, has measured the safety of cars in relation to pedestrians. The Jaguar X-Type, BMX X5 and BMW 5-series came bottom scoring no points for pedestrian safety. The Honda Civic, Seat Allea and Citroen C4 were the top performing cars.