Europe Bins “Bright” Idea

Issued 3rd December 2007

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) welcomes the decision by the European Commission (EC) to scrap plans to enforce all vehicles to have their dipped beam headlights on during daytime.

Since the 1980s MAG has challenged the gimmick safety culture that rests on bathing everyone in light or fluorescent clothing to cut accidents.

MAG President Ian Mutch said, “Road safety lies inside people’s heads not in the adoption of barmy gimmicks. If road users can’t see each other in perfect visibility then maybe they should get their eyes tested. This decision reflects some refreshing sanity in Brussels and is a testament to persistent campaigning by MAG’s European lobbying arm FEMA, The Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations.”

MAG’s General Secretary Trevor Baird said, “This has taken over a year since we replied to the European Commissions consultation in 2006. It’s been a long haul with meetings in Europe putting MAG’s position across and representation at the United Nations level through FEMA.”

MAG’s view of daytime headlight use is that if bikers want to try it then they should be free to do so but they should be wary of the fact that this is not a panacea for the “didn’t see you mate” accidents. At least the threat of motorcycles being lost in a multi vehicle aurora of light has now receded.

Notes:

1. The Commission supports the United Nation Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) decision to introduce mandatory dedicated DRL for new vehicles. An explanatory PowerPoint can be found following this link
http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/docs/20071128_DRL_PPT.pps

2. FEMA’s answer to the EC consultation over the use of Daytime Running Lights (dipped beam) can be found following this link: http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/docs/positionpaper_drl_consultation_nov2006.pdf

3. MAG UK response to European Commission Here

Issued by

Trevor Baird
General Secretary (MAG UK)

MAG UK
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Tel: +44 (0)1788 570065
Fax: +44 (0)1788 570052

Direct Line: +44 (0)1788 570066

Email: general-secretary@mag-uk.org

The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation

www.mag-uk.org