WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3724/97 by Luis MARINHO to the Commission. Safety of school transport vehicles
Date: 1997-11-12
Institutions: European Parliament, MARINHO
Subjects: approximation of laws, commercial vehicle, motor vehicle, roadworthiness tests, safety standard, school transport, transport regulations, transport safety, vehicle

25. 5. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 158/183

(98/C 158/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3723/97

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Council

(24 November 1997)

Subject: Representatives of European governments at Council meetings dealing with consumer affairs

Whilst respecting the fact that every Member State autonomously decides which minister or under-secretary to
send to European Council of Ministers(cid:146) meetings, does the Council consider that European consumers and their
interests are better represented by the industry or agriculture minister, as is sometimes the case, or by the health
or environment minister?

Answer

(16 February 1998)

Designation  of  the  most  appropriate  representatives  at  Council  meetings  dealing  with  consumer  affairs  is  a
matter solely for the governments of the Member States.

(98/C 158/246)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3724/97

by Luis Marinho (PSE) to the Commission

(12 November 1997)

Subject: Safety of school transport vehicles

More  and  more  accidents  are  occurring  with  school  transport  vehicles,  with  each  year(cid:146)s  figures  being  more
disturbing. It is estimated that in 80% of cases the causes are material in nature (mechanical breakdown, material
fatigue or inadequate safety precautions); only 20% of accidents are due to human error.

The wellbeing and safety of children is one of the objectives of family policy, and the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child lays down the obligation to legislate on the basis of this principle.

Can the Commission state:

what direct or indirect measures the EU can take to enhance the safety of school transport and contribute to
1.
reducing the problem of the existing out-of-date vehicles, which are overcrowded thanks to the rise in the school
population;

2.

whether it is considering a directive on the safety of school transport vehicles?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 1997)

The  Commission  has  not  previously  received  information  that  as  many  as  80%  of  school  bus  accidents  in
Portugal  are  due  to  technical  failures  and  would,  therefore,  welcome  further  technical  information  from  the
Honourable Member on this matter.

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 (1) lays down minimum requirements for
roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles (including school buses). Such roadworthiness tests will both ensure that
minimum safety standards are met and that vehicles are checked on a regular basis.

Furthermore,  the  Commission  is  considering  presenting  a  proposal  for  European  legislation  permitting
authorities to make random roadside checks to ensure that vehicles are being maintained to a standard consistent
with that laid down in Directive 96/96/EC.