Brussels, 17/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EP transport committee (TRAN), voting on the revision of the weights and dimensions of lorries (Directive 96/53/EC) on Tuesday 18 March, may well refuse the Commission proposal on the use of longer and heavier lorries for cross-border use between two member states that agree on this traffic.
2016 impact assessment. A compromise amendment drawn up by rapporteur Jorg Leichtfried (S&D, Austria) categorically rejects the provisions proposed by the European Commission and postpones any legislation on the subject until a later date. The compromise requires the Commission to carry out a proper assessment by 2016 of the impact of opening up the borders to mega-trucks on international competition, modal distribution, infrastructure costs, the environment and safety. Such a study was not forthcoming for the revision of Directive 96/53/EC, which was sharply criticised by the rapporteur. On the basis of the impact study, the Commission could possibly propose legislation in this area six months later, as stipulated in the compromise that will be put to the vote. This is expected to be supported by the main political groups of the European Parliament.
Safety and aerodynamic specifications. The other compromises articulate the Commission's initial proposals on safety and the aerodynamic features of heavy goods vehicles, the pillars of the definitive directive review. It is about, for example, setting the length of the back shutter at 50 cm and to authorising mirrors or a camera in the cabin to improve vision, as well the issue of the shock absorber mechanism in the event of hitting pedestrians. 15 additional centimetres could also be approved for vehicles transporting 45-foot long containers used in combined transport (this concept is to be redefined in 2017). A compromise provides for the fitting of weight sensors on lorries, five years after the entry into force of the revised directive. (MD)