WRITTEN QUESTION E-3237/02 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Advertising hoardings on national road networks.
Date: 2002-11-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, advertising, aid system, application of EU law, road network, road safety, terms for aid

C 155 E/116

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

(2003/C 155 E/127)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3232/02

by Werner Langen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 November 2002)

Subject: Riding motorcycles with a Class B driving licence

Unlike in the other EU countries, in Germany it is possible to ride a motorcycle up to 125 cc with a Class
B driving licence (passenger vehicles) only if the driver was in possession of the old-style Class 3 licence
before 1 April 1980.

Can the Commission provide information on the regulations relating to motorcycles up to 125 cc in

1.
the Member States of the European Union?

Does the Commission consider that it will be necessary or possible to act on this issue at European

2.
level in the foreseeable future?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2002)

1.
The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its interpretative communication on
Community driver licensing which contains the information requested (1). This communication indicates
that Belgium, Spain, France, Italy and Austria grant the entitlement to drive light motorcycles with a B
licence, as well as the specific conditions under which such entitlement is granted. It should be noted that,
since the publication of
the communication in question, Belgium withdrew this entitlement on
1 September 2002 for new holders of a B licence.

2.

The Commission is not planning to take any action in this area in the foreseeable future.

(1) OJ C 77, 28.3.2002, Part I, B.3, 4th indent.

(2003/C 155 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3237/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Advertising hoardings on national road networks

(15 November 2002)

As the Greek media have pointed out, there is no control over the setting up of advertising hoardings on
national roads. These hoardings distract drivers’ attention and,
in many cases, restrict their visibility,
thereby putting them at risk. As regards the setting up of advertising hoardings along national roads,
however, the legislation (cid:1) both in Greece and the rest of Europe (cid:1) contains strict rules governing their
size and distance from the road, which appear to be ineffectively implemented.

The opinion of the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘Priority for road safety in the European Union (cid:1)
progress report and evaluation of actions’ stresses that the safety of drivers is a matter of top priority and
that roads must therefore be safe for all means of transport.

Could the Commission examine the above problem and take the necessary measures to enforce the
existing legislation or propose measures to improve drivers’ safety? Could the Commission make the
provision of subsidies for road-building conditional on the implementation of and compliance with the
relevant legislation?

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/117

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(23 December 2002)

The placement of advertisements is Member State’s responsibility. It is therefore not possible to enforce
such law at Union level. Furthermore, advertisements are put in place after a stretch of road has been put
into operation. As a result, making grants for construction subject to road inspection would not solve this
particular problem.

In its White Paper ‘European transport policy for 2010 (cid:1) Time to decide’ (1), the Commission set a fatality
reduction target of 50 % until 2010. One of the means would be by reducing the so-called accident black
spots at dangerous stretches of the road. Consequently, the Commission has announced in its Work
Programme for 2003 a proposal on requirements for guidelines on black spot management.

(1) COM(2001) 370 final.

(2003/C 155 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3240/02

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(15 November 2002)

Subject: Waste water discharges contrary to environmental regulations

Only 67 % of firms in the Netherlands comply with environmental regulations on waste water discharges.
That is the conclusion reached by the Legal Compliance Expertise Centre of the Ministry of Justice
following a sample survey of 300 discharge points in industry, within the waste treatment sector and at
storage, transshipment and port reception facilities (Government Gazette, 31 October 2002).

According to the National Waterways and Highways Agency, which commissioned the survey, one
explanation for this is the fact that the financial drawbacks of contravening the rules (fines) are simply
much less onerous than the cost of complying with them, which is higher.

It is also conspicuous that the proportion of transgressors is much higher among firms with a certified
environmental safeguards system (63 %) than among those without such a system (24 %). In addition,
larger firms slip up more often than smaller firms.

Does the Commission not agree that this situation is extremely disquieting in terms of the quality of
(surface) water in the Netherlands?

What action is the Commission contemplating in order to bring about an improvement in the compliance
regime in the Netherlands?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(13 January 2003)

The Commission thanks the Honourable Member for bringing this subject to its attention.

The Commission has not had a chance to study the report referred to in the question but will ensure that a
copy is obtained in the near future.

The Commission will then take all actions that may prove necessary.