EU to introduce new rules for safer cars

Brussels, Nov 26: European Union governments accepted on Monday a voluntary commitment by auto-makers to improve the design of their vehicles so fewer pedestrians die when they are hit by cars.

Under the deal, the industry will start implementing in 2002 new safety measures ranging from the introduction of anti-locking ABS breaks in all cars to the abolition of cow bars on the front of vehicles.

The agreement also aims at making the auto industry redesign car fronts in order to try and reduce the number of casualties in car crashes.

“The EU states have decided to favour a voluntary system under the agreement that all the necessary requirements are met by the industry,” Mr Per Haugaard, a spokesman for the European Commission said. “With the voluntary approach we will start saving lives quicker.” Each year 9,000 pedestrian and cyclists are killed in Europe and a further 200,000 injured in accidents involving cars, the European Commission said in a background note.

By putting forward a voluntary approach, the car industry managed to avoid EU legislation that would have forced it into making similar changes.

Road safety groups failed in their efforts to persuade governments to reject the offer and make a much tougher law.

— Reuters