91997E2965

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2965/97 by Niels Sindal (PSE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Bull bars

A survey carried out by the British transport research laboratory (TRL) has examined a series of police reports of accidents involving cars fitted with bull bars and pedestrians or two-wheeled road- users. It was clear from some of these accidents that injuries and deaths were directly related to the bull bars. Bull bars are a feature of four-wheel drive vehicles and are specifically intended to provide protection in special off-road driving conditions although in our part of the world it is difficult to see that there is a need for them.

Has the Commission started to look into this problem?

Does it intend to ban this kind of pointless decoration on four-wheel-drive vehicles?

Has it contemplated tabling a proposal requiring these special bars to be approved prior to fitting?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (29 October 1997)

In 1996 the Commission consulted its panel of experts on motor vehicles with regard to the suitability of introducing requirements concerning the component type-approval of bull bars into Directive 74/483/EEC of 17 September 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to external projections from motor vehicles ((OJ L 266, 2.10.1974. )). The intended aim was to ensure that only non-aggressive 'bull bars' were placed on the market.

Following that consultation the Commission felt that the introduction of specific requirements relating solely to bull bars was not enough. Action taken at Community level to prevent the fitting of any bull bars that were likely to be dangerous would have to follow on from the application of more general rules that were intended to reduce the aggressiveness of vehicle front ends towards vulnerable road users, and in particular pedestrians, in the event of impact. In accordance with law-making practice the intention would be to define minimum performance rules rather than propose a ban on specific devices.

The Commission has been working in this area and hopes to be able to take action during 1998.