Brussels, 10/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has adopted, by 380 votes in favour, 23 against and 12 abstentions, a resolution approving at first reading without modifications the draft directive on "speed limitation devices or similar systems fitted to certain categories of motor vehicle".
This text, which was presented by the European Commission on 13 June, aims principally to extend the scope of directive 92/24/EEC, which governs the acceptance procedure for speed limitation devices on lorries and buses, to lighter commercial vehicles such as minibuses and goods transport vehicles of a maximum weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
Using the simplified procedure, the committee on regional policy, transport and tourism had approved the report by its chairman, Paolo Costa (ELDR, Italy) by simplified procedure on 10 September. The MEPs felt that existing speed limitation devices have already shown benefits for road safety and have reduced the severity of accidents, and have contributed to the reduction of atmopsheric pollution and fuel consumption. The committee on legal affairs and on the internal market and the committee on industry, external trade, research and energy, which had been consulted, had decided not to give their opinion.