WRITTEN QUESTION E-2739/01 by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Pedestrians' rights.
Date: 2001-10-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, drafting of EU law, pedestrian, prevention of pollution, road safety, road transport

C 115 E/154

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

16.5.2002

(2002/C 115 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2739/01

by Jorge Moreira Da Silva (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 October 2001)

Subject: Pedestrians’ rights

What results have been forthcoming in the Member States from the implementation of the European
Charter of Pedestrians’ Rights?

What legislative steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the rules protecting pedestrians’
rights in public thoroughfares are properly implemented?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The Charter of Pedestrians’ Rights was drawn up by the European Parliament in 1988. The Member States
and the authorities in question have sole responsibility for complying with the provisions which concern
them, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity.

The Community, for its part, has taken a number of measures which are in line with the objectives of the
Charter. It has adopted a number of instruments aimed at reducing polluting emissions (1) and noise
levels (2) of vehicles used in town, from private cars to delivery vehicles, buses and two or three-wheel
vehicles. It has negotiated a proposal for a voluntary agreement (3) on the protection of pedestrians in the
event of a collision with a motor vehicle, a proposal which is currently being examined by Parliament. It
has also revised the criteria for obtaining driving licences (4) with the aim of ensuring that drivers are better
prepared for responsible driving. Moreover, in January 2001, the Commission adopted a programme (5)
which aims to review and prepare Community legislation on air quality. Through its research and
development (R & D) initiatives, it is also promising measures to promote the development of sustainable
mobility policies. An example of this Community support for pioneering towns and cities is embodied in
the ‘Civitas’ (City Vitality Sustainability) project.

The safety of vulnerable road users is an aspect which will also be dealt with in the third action
programme on road safety which will cover the period 2002-2010.

(1) Directive 98/69/EC (light commercial vehicles); Directive 1999/96/EC (heavy vehicles); Directive 97/24/EC (two- or

three-wheel motor vehicles); Directive 98/70/EC (quality of fuels).

(2) Directive 70/157/EEC (last amended by Directive 96/20/EC).
(3) Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament < Pedestrian protection:

Commitment by the European automobile industry (COM(2001) 389 final).

(4) Directive 2000/56/EC amending Council Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences. An annex with more detailed

references is being sent to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat-General of Parliament.

(5) Clean Air For Europe programme (CAFE).

(2002/C 115 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2753/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(9 October 2001)

Subject: Date stamping of eggs

The 21 days’ use-by dating of eggs in the EU suits conditions south of Denmark where eggs are kept
refrigerated. Sweden has proposed 28 days under refrigeration, but discussion of this proposal by the EU is
dragging on. In Sweden the supporters of the proposal claim that the reason is that a short shelf life
favours the EU countries as this would reduce the opportunity for the USA to export eggs to Europe.

Does the Commission consider that the proposal for 28 days’ date stamping of eggs may be introduced in
the near future?