Reuters AlertNet Lite - EU to demand new safety features in cars, trucks

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EU to demand new safety features in cars, trucks

19 May 2008 15:11:21 GMT
Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuters) - New cars in the European Union will have to be fitted with advanced low-noise tyres, electronic stability controls and tyre pressure monitoring systems under safety rules to be unveiled this week.

The executive European Commission will also require manufacturers to build advanced emergency brakes and lane departure warning systems into all new heavy-duty vehicles, according to a proposal seen by Reuters on Monday.

The draft regulation sets more stringent noise emission limits for tyres than existing laws and introduces new requirements on wet grip and rolling resistance to help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cars and trucks.

"Compared to the existing acts, the proposal lays down new requirements on some advanced safety measures," it said.

The rules, which must be approved by EU governments and the European Parliament, are designed to improve road safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.

As part of its drive to simplify and reduce the amount of EU regulation, the Commission proposes replacing 50 existing directives, and about 100 amendments, with a single regulation on safety requirements for motor vehicles.

The rules would apply first to new types of vehicle, allowing a transition period for adapting vehicles already on the road.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) welcomed the plans, saying many of the safety features concerned were already in the works, and regulation was following technological developments.

ACEA spokesman Sigrid de Vries said the industry was also in favour of simplifying legislation but many of the details needed to be cleared up.

"If the outcome is a clear simplification, that would be very welcome," she said, adding ACEA would prefer the new rules to be standardised within the United Nations Economic Committee for Europe, which covers more countries than the EU. (Reporting by Paul Taylor, editing by David Hulmes)

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