WRITTEN QUESTION E-2215/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(24 July 2001)

Subject: Standardisation of emergency lights

Previous references: E-3022/00(1) and E-4033/00(2).

Since September 2000 the author of this question has been pointing out to the Commission and the Council that in Spain the colour of emergency lights on vehicles is not currently in line with the rest of

the Member States, where such lights are blue. This means that emergency lights displayed by priority and emergency services, such as the fire brigade and ambulances, are of the same amber colour as the lights used by other services, such as refuse-collection and slow-moving vehicles, with blue lights being reserved for police vehicles only. As well as being a source of confusion, this situation causes traffic problems for emergency vehicles and also puts people at risk.

Regulation No 65 of the UN Economic Commission for Europe regulates the standardisation of emergency lights, but it does not specify what colour is to be assigned to each type of vehicle. In any case, the Community has not ratified this Regulation because the Member States wish to retain the right to regulate the use and technical specifications of such equipment.

In its answer to a Written Question (E-3022/00) the Commission said should there be any change in this desire, however, the Community could well plan to () harmonise the equipment of emergency vehicles in order to distinguish them from slow-moving vehicles.

More recently the Council replied to another written question by the same author (E-4033/00) saying that if the Commission submitted a proposal in this sphere the Council would undertake to examine the proposed provisions.

In view of this answer from the Council and the criteria of public safety mentioned in the first paragraph above, does the Commission not consider that there is already sufficient desire to introduce standardisation in the use of emergency lights, as expressed by the relevant professions in both Spain and the rest of Europe?

Can the Commission say why it is so reluctant to standardise emergency lights, when this is precisely an issue which requires an urgent solution owing to the risk of accidents it entails for the general public in Europe?

(1) OJ C 113 E, 18.4.2001, p. 230.

(2) OJ C 235 E, 21.8.2001, p. 51.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 2001)

The Commission is concerned to improve road safety throughout the Community and to remove barriers to trade. In the field of automotive construction both these objectives are pursued.

The construction of emergency vehicles, and in particular the colour of the emergency lights used by them is not an area that is currently regulated by the European legislation. These vehicles are constructed or modified in accordance with the requirements of the purchasing authority taking account of their specific operational requirements. Their differences could not be considered as barriers to trade.

The Commission acknowledges that in other Member States than Spain the use of blue emergency lights is not restricted to the police. Without firm evidence that the use of amber lights by ambulances and fire engines in Spain represents a significant risk, there is no justification for bringing forward proposals to require all emergency vehicles to be fitted with blue emergency lights. However, the Commission will investigate this issue further in contact with relevant Spanish authorities.