We wrote here before about the plan of the European Commission to increase road safety for European citizens by widening its scope (to motorcycles etc.) and toughening up the current testing regime (Better safe than sorry...). Unfortunately, yesterday the EU transport ministers agreed to weaken key elements of the Commission's proposal, effectively decreasing its relevance.
"The agreement by ministers today
would substantially weaken the proposed new rules, by (a) removing
motorcycles and other two-wheelers, the most vulnerable group of road
users from the scope of mandatory regular testing; (b) removing
proposals for increased frequency of technical checks for older vehicles
– the highest risk vehicles on the road; (c) weakening proposed
measures to reduce mileage manipulation.
Ministers have backed measures with
regard to two things: strengthened cross-border mutual recognition, and
higher quality and harmonisation of testing, with minimum requirements
on training, on equipment, on assessing deficiencies, on technical
vehicle information and on supervision of testing."
The proposal will now be considered by the European Parliament.
