Brussels, 11/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is proposing strengthening the compulsory use of safety belts in cars, and for passengers and drivers of trucks and coaches. Basing itself on "best practices" in Member states, it is proposing amending the current directives on the harmonisation of legislation relating to the wearing of safety belts, by:
- Abolishing exemtptions that allow for "adult seat belts" to be used on children of three years and more at the front of the car, and under three years at the back of the vehicle. In practice, most Member States authorise the use of adult belts for children, if the vehicle is not equipped with safety devices for children. Only Sweden demands that children be carried at the back with an ad hoc device. Yet, British statistics, taken on board by the Commission in its proposal, reveals that 270 babies die each year in the United Kingdom in car accidents, due to the lack of adequate devices.
- Banning the use of baby baskets for children on front seats, when the airbag system cannot be disconnected. For the time being, the risk caused by the opening of airbags for children in baskets at the front of the car mainly applies to the United States where airbags are more voluminous than in Europe. The Commission hopes, however, to anticipate this risk.
- Imposing the use of seatbelts for drivers and seated passengers in trucks and coaches, when the vehicles are fitted with them. A series of directives dating back to 1996 provides for the installation of seatbelts in new passenger vehicles, for buses of over 3.5 tonnes from 1999 and for mini-buses from October 2001. This norm is not, however, binding, and simply imposes the recognition of approved standards between Member States. The Commission, however, stresses that 42% of deaths caused in truck accidents could be prevented if the drivers were to wear their seatbelts. It also recalls that 200 persons are killed in bus accidents each year in Europe, for failing to strap themselves in correctly.
