WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/03 by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Commission. First aid at the scene of an accident.
Date: 2003-07-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European driving licence, drivers, first aid, road safety, safety device, transport accident, vocational training

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/103

An initial examination of Presidential Decree 81/2003 suggests the possibility of problems of conformity
in the transposition of this Directive in Greece.

If, once the Greek authorities have been given the opportunity to provide an explanation, this proves to be
the case, the Commission will have to consider initiating the procedure provided for in Article 226 of the
EC Treaty against Greece.

(2004/C 78 E/0103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2320/03

by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 July 2003)

Subject: First aid at the scene of an accident

The Commission recently drew attention to the enormous death toll on the roads in EU Member States
and submitted an extensive road safety action programme. Against this background, on 20 June 2003 the
Commission adopted a proposal for a directive which would make it compulsory, from July 2004, for all
types of vehicles newly placed on the market to be fitted with seatbelts.

Therefore, the following questions:

1. According to the information at the Commission’s disposal, would the situation be improved if all
applicants for driving licences in the European Union were required to take a short course in
emergency measures at the scene of an accident, which is already compulsory in Germany and
Austria, for example? If so, will the Commission submit a legislative proposal to this effect in the
foreseeable future?

2. Would a qualified first aid course, such as those which the St John’s Ambulance Brigade offers to all
driving licence-holders in Britain, considerably improve first aid in emergencies? If so, will the
Commission submit a legislative proposal on the subject in the foreseeable future?

3. Are the existing rules on the contents of first aid kits for vehicles licensed in EU Member States and
the applicant countries adequate? In connection with the requirement to keep a first aid kit in a
vehicle, would a minimum level of instruction to ensure its proper use be appropriate? If so, will the
Commission submit a legislative proposal on the subject in the foreseeable future?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2003)

On 14 September 2000 the Commission adopted a Directive on driving licences which significantly raised
the minimum requirements for driving tests. Several provisions of the Directive, which will enter into force
on 1 October 2003, deal with the question of first aid. Accordingly, anyone wishing to obtain a driving
licence must have a knowledge of the general rules specifying how drivers must behave in the event of an
accident (setting warning devices and raising the alarm) and the measures they can take to assist road
accident victims. Even stricter requirements apply to persons wishing to obtain a heavy goods vehicle or
bus licence: they must have a knowledge of the measures to be taken after an accident or similar
occurrence, including action such as evacuation of passengers and a basic knowledge of first aid.

The Commission would also draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the proposed directive of the
European Parliament and of the Council on the initial qualification and periodic training of professional
drivers (1). The list of subjects to be covered by the initial qualification and the periodic training includes
assistance in the event of an accident and goes beyond what is required in order to obtain a driving
licence. Individuals must be able to assess the situation, prevent further complications arising, summon
assistance, assist casualties and give first aid, react in the event of fire and evacuate the occupants.

C 78 E/104

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

The Commission is of the opinion that these two Community acts meet the requirements, and is not
planning any further legislation in this area.

It is for the Member States to decide whether vehicles should carry a first aid kit, and whether drivers
should undergo special training. At present, there is nothing to suggest to the Commission that European
legislation is warranted here. However, it does believe that several thousands of lives could be saved if the
emergency services were able to arrive sooner at the scenes of accidents. It is therefore studying how the
process of emergency service alert and intervention can be automated. In the meantime, the decision to
provide the emergency services with information enabling them to locate emergency calls made using the
112 number is an important step forward (2).

(1) COM(2003) 296 final.
(2) This is required by Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on universal service and
users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services, OJ L 108, 24.4.2003, and referred to by
the Commission recommendation of 25 July 2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0104)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2340/03

by Giovanni Fava (PSE) to the Commission

(11 July 2003)

Subject: National site for radioactive waste in Sardinia

The Italian press recently published reports that the government intends to choose Sardinia as the location
for the possible single national radioactive waste dump.

A report by Enea (the national authority for new technologies, energy and the envirnoment) ruled out
islands as possible locations for the disposal of waste, precisely in order to avoid the danger of
environmental disasters in the event of an accident during transport by sea.

In an order issued in March 2003 the Italian Government gave the company Sogin full responsibility for
choosing the national site for the radioactive waste dump. Unlike Enea, Sogin decided that the island
criterion would no longer be considered as an exclusion factor in the choice of site.

In view of all this, does not the Commission consider that:

1.

2.

3.

the choice of the location for the single radioactive waste dump should be made after consulting the
populations concerned, as European legislation requires;

the economic problems of islands should be a valid reason for excluding them when a site is being
chosen;

a nuclear-free region such as Sardinia, whose main resource is tourism, is entitled to oppose a possible
decision making it the location for a radioactive waste dump?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2003)

The responsibility for managing radioactive waste rests with the country of jurisdiction. In the interests of
all concerned, any programme for the long-term management of waste must ensure full stakeholder
participation in the decision-making process, thus enabling a proper appraisal of any impacts.

In this context, it is important to note that any site for the final disposal of radioactive waste (cid:1) or for
storage of such wastes for more than 10 years (cid:1) must be the subject of an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) under Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of