WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1507/99 by Maria SANDERS-TEN HOLTE French government's ban on freight traffic in France on 11 August 1999 in connection with the solar eclipse
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, SANDERS-TEN HOLTE Marieke
Subjects: France, application of the law, atmospheric conditions, commercial vehicle, common transport policy, financial loss, road safety, traffic control, type of business

29.1.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 27 E/101

national rules concerning single vehicle type- approval continue to be applied in the Member States
although it is possible that certain systems, components and separate technical units for caravans may have
been approved under Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws
of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers.

The Commission is hopeful that completion of the system of EC vehicle type-approval for vehicles of this
type will be agreed within the medium-term.

(1) OJ C 143, 15.5.1996.

(2000/C 27 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1507/99

by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: French government(cid:146)s ban on freight traffic in France on 11 August 1999 in connection with the

solar eclipse

On 27 July 1999 it was reported on the news that the French government is seeking to impose a ban on
(freight) traffic in France on 11 August in connection with the solar eclipse. The government says this is
for safety reasons.

Is the Commission aware of France(cid:146)s intentions and,

1.
justified?

if so,

is it of the opinion that this ban is

Does the Commission agree that this ban will paralyse international business and freight traffic,

2.
thereby causing unnecessary financial damage, and that this is unacceptable?

Does the Commission agree that the ban is excessive given that lorries normally drive at night in

3.
France and that no additional safety measures are taken?

Does the Commission agree that not only France but also the whole of international trade will be

4.
affected by this ban and that France cannot therefore simply impose it?

5. What action does the Commission intend to take before 11 August to prevent the ban entering into
fore?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1999)

In view of the fact that this question was obviously related to a specific time and event during the
Parliamentary recess the Commission wrote to the Honourable Member on 6 August responding to her
enquiries. In that letter the Commission said that it was aware of the French government(cid:146)s intention to
impose a ban on freight traffic on 11 August 1999 because of the solar eclipse and was of the opinion
that such a ban would be justified if it was imposed for road safety reasons and if the measure is in
proportion to the aims pursued, even though it could affect international traffic. In the view of the
Commission the safety risk did not relate to darkness caused by the solar eclipse in France but rather to
the expected massive movements of people who wanted to watch the eclipse from certain locations.

In this particular case, the Commission took the view that proportionality meant that the ban should be
restricted in time (i.e. not the entire day), should be restricted in space (i.e. probably not the entire French
territory) and should distinguish between categories of roads (i.e. secondary roads as opposed to motor-
ways). The Commission wrote to the French authorities accordingly, but has not yet received a response.