On Tuesday 20 February, MEPs at the European Parliament’s transport committee voted by a large majority in favour of an own initiative report drafted by István Ujhelyi (S&D, Hungary) to encourage the introduction of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS).
There was not much doubt left at the end of the vote, given that the debates held the day before between the MEPs had demonstrated a convergence of views between the different political families. The rapporteur also welcomed the active participation of the shadow rapporteurs in the drafting of the compromise amendments, which were all adopted.
This own initiative report is part of the European communication of November 2016, presented by Claire Depré, the head of the "Sustainable and Intelligent Transport" unit at the European Commission’s mobility and transport services directorate, during the European Parliament transport Committee on 7 September last (see EUROPE 11858). It should be recalled that the C-ITS involve connecting vehicles with road infrastructure and drivers. This is done to improve road safety, traffic and the driving conditions of road users.
In the text voted on this Tuesday, MEPs highlight the “urgent need" to implement a European strategy for introducing the C-ITS. To this end, they are calling on the Commission to present a specific roadmap of the European Union’s objectives for 2019-2029. Given that the C-ITS are based on connected vehicles, MEPs are calling for full respect of the provisions in Union law on data protection and private life. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)