WRITTEN QUESTION E-2378/99

by Juan Izquierdo Collado (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Safety of coach travel

On 19 September 1999, 29 people died and 25 others were seriously injured as a result of a coach accident which occurred in the vicinity of Zaragoza (Spain). In recent years, 398 people have lost their lives in such accidents in Spain, 91 of whom were school-age children. In the light of this information, is the Commission planning to take any action to increase the safety of coach travel? Does the Commission think that there should be any tightening up of the rules on the technical inspection of vehicles, speed limits, rest breaks during long journeys, breathalyser tests, etc.? What does the Commission think of the introduction of measures such as the compulsory wearing of seatbelts or the fitting of air bags to passenger seats?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 January 2000)

The Community has already taken several legislative actions at the European level to improve the safety of buses. These include Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 of 20 December 1985 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport(1); Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 of 20 December 1985 on recording equipment in road transport(10); Council Directive 92/6/EEC of 10 February 1992 on the installation and use of speed limitation devices for certain categories of motor

vehicles in the Community(2); Commission Directive 96/36/EC of 17 June 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 77/541/EEC relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles(3); Commission Directive 96/37/EC of 17 June 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 74/408/EEC relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (strength of seats and of their anchorages)(4); Commission Directive 96/38/EC of 17 June 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 76/115/EEC relating to anchorages for motor vehicle safety belts(5); Council Directive 91/439EC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences(6), as amended by Council Directive 97/26/EC of 2 June 1997(7); and Council Directive 96/96/EC of 20 December 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers(8).

In addition the Commission has forwarded a proposal for a Parliament and Council directive relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC(9) which includes requirements that coaches can withstand rollover tests; requirements that buses and coaches can tilt to their sides a certain number of degrees, and requirements on the size, positioning and number of emergency exists. A second Commission proposal that should be adopted soon will require all Member States to undertake regular roadside inspections of buses and lorries to ensure the safety of vehicles on the road.

As for the Honourable Member's request about European legislation on the mandatory wearing of seat belts on coaches the Commission currently has no plans to change the current Directive. Whilst the Commission recognises the positive safety aspects of seat belts on coaches and endorses their use it would be premature to have legislation on mandatory use until a significant proportion of the Community coach fleet is fitted with seat belts to the necessary Community standards.

As for airbags on coaches the Commission notes that there is no Community manufacturer at present building coaches with airbags fitted throughout. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to legislate for such a requirement at this stage.

(1) OJ L 370, 31.12.1985.

(2) OJ L 57, 2.3.1992.

(3) OJ L 178, 17.7.1996.

(4) OJ L 186, 25.7.1996.

(5) OJ L 187, 26.7.1996.

(6) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(7) OJ L 162, 19.6.1997.

(8) OJ L 46, 17.2.1997.

(9) OJ C 17, 20.1.1998.

(10) OJ L 370, 31.12.1985.