Europe protects pedestrians and cyclists from 'bull bars'

10.28.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 24th Jun 2008

Members of the European Parliament have backed new stronger EU rules governing 'bull bars', known formally as frontal protection systems. These are part of a set of tougher standards on the safety of cars and vans, in order to reduce the shocking figures of 8,000 pedestrians and cyclists killed every year on Europe's roads and 300,000 injured.

While bull bars are not being banned, their use will only be possible in future if they meet the same standards as vehicles without bull bars. This closes a previous loophole whereby EU states did not necessarily insist that a vehicle to which bull bars were added had to meet the same safety specification as a vehicle without them.

Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford welcomed the move:

"This important strengthening of the rules on bull bars is a bonus to road safety campaigners everywhere. They can be a lethal danger to those on foot and on 2 wheels, especially to children, not least when you get drivers who bully other road users."

"The EU has a long track record of increasing the safety of vehicles, and MEPs can be proud of backing this action against poorly-designed car fronts that pose a risk to people's safety."