WRITTEN QUESTION E-2390/02 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Study on older drivers.
Date: 2002-08-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: driving licence, elderly person, physically disabled person, population ageing, research project, transport accident, transport policy

C 28 E/230

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

When children receive CT scans, Member States have to ensure that appropriate equipment and special
imaging techniques are used,
is operated properly, and specially trained radiologists
supervise and interpret the CT scans, so that paediatric patients are not exposed to more radiation than
they should be.

the equipment

The Commission will continue to ensure that the new Directive is appropriately implemented in the
Member States.

The Commission will actively support a number of activities within Europe ensuring that information on
new observations with potential implications for current use of CT-scans on infants is available to the
relevant physicians and parents.

The Commission has funded research under its 4th and 5th Framework Programmes on quality criteria
and dose reduction in CT and paediatric radiology. This topic will remain an important priority in the 6th
Framework Programme, which is about to be launched.

In addition, the Commission has published ‘Referral guidelines for imaging’ (2), including a chapter on
paediatric imaging aiming to minimise X-ray irradiation in children, specially those with long term
problems.

(1) OJ L 180, 9.7.1997.
(2)

ISBN: 92-828-9454-1- http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/radprot/118/118.htm.

(2003/C 28 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2390/02

by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: Study on older drivers

A project is currently under way in the EU under the name of Agile, investigating the effect of age on
driving ability. The study is expected to be completed by about 2005. It proposes to map the cognitive
and physical problems of older drivers, the effect of age on their driving behaviour, and the kinds of
accidents they are involved in.

Is the Commission aware of this study?

If so, what is the aim of this study?

Is the Commission considering an age restriction for driving licences?

Does the Commission not consider that this kind of study stigmatises older people?

Is this study not primarily in the interests of the insurance industry, which likes to make distinctions
between drivers (cid:1) thinking for example of the bonus/penalty system in Belgium, which has recently been
banned by European law?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 2002)

AGILE (QLRT-CT-2002-00118) is a research project conducted by the National Center for Research and
Technology Hellas (CERTH) and the Hellenic Institute of
(HIT), and cofinanced by the
Commission under the ‘Quality of Life Programme’, key action ‘The Ageing Population and their
Disabilities’ of the 5th Framework programme for Research and Technological Development. It started in
April 2002 and results will be presented within three years time.

transport

The aim of the project is to develop a new set of training, information, counselling and driving ability
assessment and support
full range of physical, cognitive,
behavioural and interaction abilities,
inclusive and cost-effective, standardised, pan-
European elderly drivers assessment procedure.

tools for older people, evaluating their
targeting a fair,

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/231

Older drivers seem to be over-represented in specific accident types (i.e. turning left at a T-junction,
changing lane, merging or leaving from a parking position). AGILE focuses on two key milestones: a)
developing the required knowledge to establish national policies for delivering certification to fitness to
drive to the elderly; b) helping as much as possible older age groups to continue driving safely as enhanced
mobility leads to increased well-being.

The Commission does not have the intention to impose a maximum age limit for holding a driving
licence.

The Commission does not consider that this kind of research project stigmatises older people. It is more
the contrary, as the project will develop appropriate training and consultation courses to help older drivers
overcome their driving problems as well as a methodology to embattle current negative stereotypes about
elderly drivers. This will
lead towards enhancing public awareness and acceptance of elderly driving
abilities. It is emphasised that the assessment methods targeted are not meant to present a new barrier for
elderly drivers but instead they are expected to simplify and rationalise the currently used assessment
process for most of them. It will help to find appropriate methods and aids for older people to remain safe
drivers.

This research project is not designed to benefit the insurance companies. Given the aforementioned
purpose of this study, it is not expected that the results of this research project will be used to make
distinctions between drivers.

(2003/C 28 E/261)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2393/02

by Jules Maaten (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 August 2002)

Subject: European policy on the funding of ‘orphan’ medicines

For a number of years now the European Union has had a policy on ‘orphan’ medicines. This policy is
contained in Regulation (EC) 141/2000 (1), and includes total or partial exemption from the payment of an
authorisation fee for the marketing of an orphan medicine (Article 7(2) of the Regulation).

In practice, producers of orphan medicines accorded a 50 % reduction in the fee. For purposes of
comparison, in the USA the reduction is 100 %.

1.

Does the Commission consider that a 50 % reduction is fair?

2.
Does the Commission plan to set a specific percentage for this fee? If so, does it plan to treat these
subsidies differently on the basis of various factors and scenarios, such as specific characteristics of
diseases?

Does the Commission plan, in drawing up the budget for the EMEA, to take account of the extra

3.
costs of the EMEA procedure in the context of orphan medicines?

(1) OJ L 18, 22.1.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2002)

The current procedure laid down by Regulation (EC) 141/2000 (1) aimed at promoting the development
and authorisation of orphan medicinal products has so far enabled 110 medicinal products to be
designated as ‘orphan medicinal products’ from among more than 200 applications submitted. From this
point of view, the Commission considers that the application of this procedure has already been a success.

In this context, the incentives available appear useful, proportionate and effective: they have led to a far
greater number of applications than might otherwise have been expected. Two of these incentives apply at