|
New EU Road Safety Regulation not Proven Safe for Cyclists
Issued 7th October 2008
The European Commission decided to introduce Daytime Running Lights (DRL) on all new vehicles from 2011 onwards.
"We strongly oppose this initiative because it is not based on conclusive evidence and might even prove harmful to cyclists", says Annick Roetynck from the European Twowheel Retailers' Association (ETRA).
"To claim that this measure will increase road safety is simply not right.
Let alone the paradigm shift it will bring about: vulnerable road users will have to watch out for cars instead of the other way round", adds Bernhard Ensink from the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF).
EU Vice President Günter Verheugen said that reducing road fatalities by 1,200 - 2,000 lives per year is the main argument to introduce DRL - a system, which makes car lights work in daytime.
"But the 2003 TNO study on which the Commission bases the above estimates did not examine the effects of DRL on car drivers' behaviour toward vulnerable road users. What's more, the study has no conclusive evidence about the effect of DRL on accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists."
Annick Roetynck explains. Bernhard Ensink adds: "In September 2001, ECF together with FEMA, the European motorcyclists' association and FEVR, the European federation for road victims, presented to the Commission a position paper, which contained an overview analysis of the scientific evidence available on DRL.
That analysis clearly showed that, in spite of well over 50 DRL studies carried out over 30 years, it was impossible to achieve a reliable measurement of the effect of DRL on road safety.
The TNO study on which the Commission has based its decision shows exactly the same shortcoming.
"The Commission argues that all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can detect, recognise and identify vehicles equipped with DRL, better and earlier."
"So kids can see the cars, but can the cars see the kids?" asks Bernhard Ensink, citing medical research that too many light sources make non-illuminated objects and persons, such as pedestrians and cyclists, less visible.
Real Road Safety Issues
"We think that DRL will reinforce the already strong position of motorized vehicles, increasing car drivers' psychological right of way, leading to higher speeds as drivers believe their car causes less risk" says Annick Roetynck.
"It will also shift the responsibility towards the vulnerable road users. They will be expected to watch out for cars while it should be the other way round."
In order to reduce road fatalities, ETRA and ECF want the European Commission to target more serious safety problems in transport.
In the framework of the European Road Safety Action Programme, the Commission has listed the following order of causes of mortality on the road : excessive speed (15,000 fatalities), consumption of alcohol or drugs, fatigue (10,000 fatalities), non-wearing of seat belts or of protective helmets (7,000 fatalities).
"To us it is not logical that the Commission shows great interest in harmonizing legislation on DRL, but does not see any need for harmonizing for instance speed limits or blood alcohol limits."
"If the European Commission wants to bring down the number of deaths on EU roads from the current 43,000 per year to 25,000 by 2010, it needs to target the real problems", Bernhard Ensink concludes.
Contact:
ECF - Rue Joseph II 166 - 1000 Brussels -Belgium - Tel. +32 2 234 38 74 - Mobile + 31 641 74 43 50 -
E-mail b.ensink@]ecf.com - www.ecf.com
ETRA eesv - Guinardstraat 32- 9000 Gent - Belgium - Tel. +32 9 233 60 05 - E-mail etra@pandora.be - www.etra-eu.com
Notes to the editor:
More info via: Dr. Bernhard Ensink, ECF Secretary General - GSM: +31641744350 -
b.ensink@ecf.com
Founded in 1983, the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) is the umbrella federation of the national cyclists' associations in Europe, reinforced by similar organisations from other parts of the world.
On behalf of our 56 members in 38 countries, we are pledged to ensure that bicycle use achieves its fullest potential so as to bring about sustainable mobility and public well-being.
To achieve these aims, the ECF seeks to change attitudes, policies and budget allocations at the European level.
The ECF stimulates and organises the exchange of information and expertise on bicycle related transport policies and strategies as well as the work of the cyclists' movement.
The European Twowheel Retailers' Association (ETRA) is the European professional association for independent bicycle, moped and motorcycle retailers. ETRA represents some 5,000 companies, which employ approximately 11,500 people, in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
|
