WRITTEN QUESTION E-0597/03 by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Extra lights on HGV.
Date: 2003-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Sweden, application of EU law, approximation of laws, commercial vehicle, derogation from EU law, road safety, signalling device

C 222 E/218

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

(2003/C 222 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0566/03

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 February 2003)

Subject: Problems relating to audible warning devices

Directive 70/388/EEC (1) indicates minimum values for type approval of audible warning devices for motor
vehicles, ruling out the possibility of a mechanism for reducing the volume of the horn to avoid
environmental pollution (e.g. while driving slowly or at night) or increasing the volume in specific
circumstances (e.g. while driving at high speeds). However, Directive 93/30/EEC (2) requires the audible
warning devices on less powerful motorcycles and mopeds to have a lower sound level and this frequently
causes accidents between mopeds and pedestrians, as is clearly illustrated by accident statistics.

As regards the first point, does the Commission not consider that an amendment should be proposed to
the directive to authorise intelligent audible warning devices which will adjust the sound level according to
circumstances? As for the second point, should the sound levels of audible warning devices for two- or
three-wheel motor vehicles not be the same as those authorised for more powerful motorcycles?

(1) OJ L 176, 10.8.1970, p. 12.
(2) OJ L 188, 29.7.1993, p. 11.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2003)

In principle the Commission is not opposed to the concept of an intelligent audible warning device.
However, as audible warning devices are intended to warn other road users in the proximity of the vehicle
of its presence or approach, very careful consideration would need to be given to justifying the use of
lower or higher levels of volume, than those that are currently prescribed in Council Directive 70/388/EEC
of 27 July 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to audible warning
devices for motor vehicles.

As regards the audible warning devices required to be fitted to motorcycles and mopeds, the Commission
has had no indication that the lower level of sound permitted for audible warning devices fitted to mopeds
and low-powered motorcycles might not be heard by pedestrians and lead to accidents. Maximum and
minimum sound levels applicable for the different types of two-wheeled motor vehicles differ, but the
permitted ranges for each of these types of vehicle overlap. Therefore, it is possible for an audible warning
device to be produced that could be fitted for all types of two-wheeled motor vehicles.

If stakeholders were to find that the use of audible warning devices of variable sound level would be a
useful contribution to road safety and environmental protection the Commission would consider bringing
forward proposals to amend the provisions.

(2003/C 222 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0597/03

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 February 2003)

Subject: Extra lights on HGV

The association of haulage contractors, Norr,
the new directive
concerning lights on HGV. In Sweden, the National Road Administration has proposed that the directive
should be incorporated into legislation as of May 2003.

in Norrbotten is indignant about

18.9.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/219

The traffic situation in Norrland differs from that in Central Europe. Timber hauliers can drive for an hour
and a half without meeting any oncoming traffic. Driving on bad roads in the dark with a high risk of
encountering elk means that several extra lights are needed in the north of Sweden compared with more
densely populated areas in the EU. Powerful lights are a safety factor. Crashing into wild animals costs
money and causes problems. It is not a problem for HGV drivers to dip their lights for oncoming traffic.

Is there a possibility of regional exemptions from the directive as regards lights on HGV?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(28 March 2003)

To comply with Council Directive 76/756/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on motor vehicles and
their trailers (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 97/28/EC of 11 June 1997 (2), motor vehicles
must be fitted with either two or four main-beam headlamps, the aggregate intensity of which shall not
exceed 225,000 cd. These provisions have remained unchanged since the 1976 and are aligned with
Regulation 48 of the United Nation Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). Proposals are currently
under consideration within the UN/ECE, though, to permit an additional two main-beam headlamps to be
fitted to heavy goods vehicles greater than 12 tonnes in mass, provided that only four can be illuminated
at any one time.

Heavy goods vehicles are type-approved on the basis of national legislation and do not yet fall under the
Community Whole Vehicle Type-Approval system, although it is anticipated that proposals to include
them in this system on a mandatory basis as from 2008 will be brought forward to the European
Parliament and Council soon.

For the purposes of granting national type approvals, the Swedish authorities must accept vehicles that
conform to Council Directive 76/756/EEC. However, compliance with the Directive is not mandatory, and
the authorities may therefore also accept vehicles that comply with alternative provisions. Where
alternative provisions are available it is up to the manufacturer to choose whether he would prefer to have
the type-approval of his vehicle based upon the alternative provisions or the Directive. As far as
practicable, the Commission would encourage all Member States to align their national provisions with the
relevant EC Directives at the earliest possible date prior to the Community Whole Vehicle Type-Approval
system becoming mandatory for heavy good vehicles.

In addition, once any vehicle is registered, it is subject to the national provisions concerning the use of
vehicles, and it is a matter for the Swedish authorities to determine whether or not they wish to permit the
subsequent installation of additional main-beam headlamps.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
(2) OJ L 171, 30.6.1997.

(2003/C 222 E/249)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0601/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(25 February 2003)

Subject: COM for the dairy sector and the additional levy for Portugal

The current marketing year for milk ends in March. As things stand, almost 20 000 Portuguese producers
may have to pay fines for exceeding their individual quotas. It appears that the Portuguese milk quota may
be exceeded by between 40 000 and 50 000 tonnes, implying a fine of 37 cents per litre, which gives a
total of EUR 15 million. Estimates from the Portuguese sector indicate that, if this fine were to be applied
and bearing in mind the large debts incurred by many producers, it could lead to the disappearance of
30 % of producers in the Douro-Minho region alone. It should be pointed out in this connection that 78 %
of producers have ceased production over the past decade between the 1991/92 and 2001/02 marketing