EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/419

(2004/C 78 E/0440)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2716/03

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject: Radar detectors

A whole range of detector systems for speed checks are available on the European market. One of these is the British RoadPilot, a new high-tech GPS receiver which warns motorists when they are approaching an unmanned camera and tells them whether or not they need to reduce their speed. Unlike all other detectors, the RoadPilot is not banned in Belgium because it does not detect police radar which is illegal in Belgium. However, Belgians can acquire police radar detectors in the Netherlands where they are legal. As a result, many motorists are driving around with radar detection systems.

Road safety experts have drawn attention to the dangers of detection systems of this kind. They point out that there are drivers who brake suddenly when they receive a signal and then speed up again once they have passed the speed detection device.

What is the Commission's attitude to radar detectors?

Is the Commission aware of the commercial success of these speed camera detector systems?

Does it not agree that radar detectors are dangerous for road safety?

Does it intend to draw up European regulations on this matter?

Supplementary answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2004)

The Commission agrees with those experts on road safety who highlight the risk of sudden braking brought about by radar detectors. Moreover, these detectors can undermine or make ineffective the operation of speed control radar devices which aim to improve road safety. People making use of these detectors normally do not intend to stick to the speed limit. They want to know when they run a risk of being fined, so that they can continue speeding between the speed control checks. Speeding is the most important cause of road fatalities — about one third of all fatal and serious accidents are caused by speeding drivers.

The radar detecting systems that can be legally acquired in the Netherlands are systems which warn the driver when there are radar devices installed for speed control. However, the Dutch government has presented to its Parliament draft legislation to include a ban on the use of such systems, as the use of systems that hinder speed control by disturbing radar signals are already forbidden.

In terms of the commercial success of these radar detectors available in the Netherlands, it is estimated that several hundred thousand drivers at least are using such systems, most of who drive for business purposes.

For the reasons set out above the Commission considers speed radar detector systems dangerous for road safety. In its recently published Recommendation on enforcement in the field of road safety (1) it recommends among other things that Member States should ensure that sanctions applicable to speeding, drink-driving and non-use of seat belts are effective, proportionate and dissuasive and that acts which aim at hindering or circumventing enforcement of such infractions should be subject to sanctions based on the same principles (Recommendation 8). The Commission considers that making use of speed radar detectors is an act covered by this recommendation, as it seeks to circumvent enforcement. The Commission has committed itself, should insufficient improvements in road safety be made within three years following publication of this Recommendation to achieve the Union objective of reducing the annual number of road deaths in the Union by 50 % in the year 2010, to submit a proposal for a Directive to achieve this 50 % reduction.

(1) COM(2003) 628 final.