Motor vehicles with trailers: protection of occupants in the event of a frontal impact (until 2014)

1) OBJECTIVE

To reduce the number of road accident victims in Europe to improve the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a head-on collision.

2) ACT

Directive 96/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact and amending Directive 70/156/EEC [Official Journal L 18 of 21.01.1997].

Amended by:

Commission Directive 1999/98/EC of 15 December 1999 [Official Journal L 9 of 13.01.2000].

3) SUMMARY

Directive 96/79/EC

The Directive establishes test requirements for devices which aim to protect the occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a frontal impact. In particular, biomechanical criteria are introduced to ensure a high level of protection.

For the purposes of this Directive, a protective system is defined as the fittings and devices intended to restrain the occupants in their seats (such as seatbelts, airbags, etc.). Thus the Directive establishes methods for testing these devices.

No Member State may, on grounds concerning the protection of occupants of vehicles in the event of a frontal impact, refuse, in respect of a vehicle type, to grant EC type-approval or national type-approval, or prohibit the registration, sale or entry into service of a vehicle, if it complies with the requirements of this Directive.

Directive 1999/98/EC

Directive 1999/98 amends the Annexes to the previous Directive incorporating the conclusions of assessment tests on the ankle of the Hybrid III dummy, including tests on vehicles.

Last updated: 18.07.2005