WRITTEN QUESTION E-1091/01

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 April 2001)

Subject: Accidents caused by dangerous tyres/low tyre pressure

In view of a large cluster of serious accidents in the USA as a result of low tyre pressure and consequent fatal tyre damage, the US Congress has decided to take legislative measures as early as Autumn 2001. According to a study by ETRTO (the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation), 70 % of the tyres fitted on European cars are in poor condition as a result of insufficient pressure.

1. What measures does the Commission propose to take to ensure by means of technical standards that the thousand or so road deaths which occur each year on European roads because of technical failures (accidents caused by dangerous tyres or low tyre pressure) are avoided?

2. Is the Commission planning to open negotiations with the US Government at the UN-ECE in Geneva with a view to reaching an overall solution to this problem?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2001)

The Commission is fully aware that low tyre pressure is a major cause of serious accidents. It shares the view expressed by the Honourable Member that there is a need for action at Community level to reduce the direct and indirect risks of low tyre pressure.

As a result of ongoing contacts with manufacturers, who have production plants and markets worldwide, and likewise with the American and Japanese authorities, the Commission is convinced that a solution can be found through a global approach. Furthermore, it has raised these issues in the expert groups of the Group of Rapporteurs on Brakes and Running Gear and of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and also at the more official level of the World Forum on the Standardisation of Vehicle Construction under the auspices of the United Nations. The results of the work carried out by the experts are expected in autumn 2001.

A measure of consensus is thus appearing among industrialists and governments on the need to work together to find the most acceptable solutions. These various solutions can help reduce the number of accidents: the harmonisation of legislation currently in force throughout the world, with technical requirements for the manufacture of tyres (e.g. endurance tests) is one option. Another option would require all wheels/tyres to be fitted with pressure transducers, which give an instantaneous reading of low tyre pressure or a significant imbalance between tyres on the same axle.

While it is true that even today there is a lack of reliable statistics on the seriousness of accidents caused by tyres, it is highly probable that a significant number of fatalities and serious injuries are caused by faults in tyres. In this respect, the Commission is able to confirm its commitment to pushing ahead with Community-wide and international efforts in this area. If the research project on international harmonisation is not completed in the near future, the Commission will independently take the initiative to propose Community rules. In any event, the Commission will take a position on this issue as part of the third action programme on road safety, which it will adopt during the course of 2001.