WRITTEN QUESTION P-1410/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(14 April 2003)

Subject: Bull bars

The proposal for a directive relating to the protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle(1) concerns, inter alia, bull bars. Car manufacturers have given a commitment not to install rigid bull bars on their motor vehicles, nor to sell them as spare parts. In practice,

many Belgian car dealers have already put an end to the use of bull bars. However, the proposal for a directive makes no reference to a ban on the sale of bull bars by dealers in spare parts for cars. New 4x4s with bull bars are therefore still being seen on Belgian roads.

Does the Commission agree that bull bars are dangerous accessories which increase the likelihood of collisions involving vulnerable road users being fatal?

What research data does the Commission have on the consequences of collisions between cars fitted with bull bars and vulnerable road users?

Does the Commission intend to take steps to completely ban bull bars? If so, when? If not, why not?

(1) COM(2003) 67 final.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 2003)

The Commission is aware that frontal protection systems, such as bull bars, mounted on vehicles constitute an increased risk of injury to pedestrians and other road users in the event of a collision.

In June 2001, the European automobile manufacturers represented by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) committed themselves to introduce a range of safety measures to improve pedestrian protection. Similar commitments were subsequently made by the Japanese and Korean automobile manufacturers (represented by JAMA and KAMA, respectively) in July 2001 and March 2002 respectively. The commitments include an agreement not to install so-called rigid bull bars as original equipment on new motor vehicles, nor to sell them as spare parts, as of 1 January 2002. Rigid bull bars are defined in the commitments as a frontal protection system made of steel or any other metal or material presenting similar behavioral characteristics.

However, before taking a decision on whether to accept the commitments by the industry, the Commission decided to consult the Parliament and the Council. The Council, in its Conclusions of 26 November 2001, stated the view that the use of rigid bull bars should be banned for passenger vehicles carrying up to eight passengers and for vehicles designed for the carriage of goods up to 3,5 tonnes and that the Commission should propose a means to do so. The Parliament, in its Resolution of 13 June 2002 also invited the Commission to propose legislation providing for a ban of bull bars on the after-market.

As a result, the Commission is preparing the submission of a legislative proposal aimed at reducing the severity of injuries caused to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users when in collision with vehicles fitted with frontal protection systems. This proposal will contain test procedures for all bull-bars and similar devices placed on the market either as original or after-market equipment. In this regard the Commission has taken into consideration a report(1) made by the Transport Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom which provides a good assessment on potential approaches to the testing procedures required for bull bars.

(1) Assessment and test procedures for bull bars, G. Lawrence, C. Rodmell and A. Osbourne. TRL Report 460.