EESC wants European Highway Code and vehicle register

Publication date: 16 December 2004

A minimum harmonization of road traffic rules could be a key contribution to road safety and accident prevention. This is the key message in an own initiative opinion tabled by Rapporteur Pegado Liz and adopted in the EESC plenary session today. It calls for a directive that would introduce minimal harmonisation as regards to basic traffic rules and signals or drivers’ qualifications and licences. The Commission is asked to start preparatory work for such a proposal, which could lead to a European Highway Code.

eeschighway_code.pdf (156 KB)

The EESC believes also that a single Europe-wide vehicle register would make vehicles easier to trace. The EESC opinion asks the Commission to launch preparatory studies that could lead to a Green paper in order to start a public discussion.

Related News Items:
- Automobile Clubs cautious over European Highway Code (17 May 2004)
- Hearing on Harmonisation of Driving Rules in Europe (27 April 2004)

AIT-FIA Policy Statement:
European Highway Code and Vehicle Register - Response by the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to the EESC Hearing of 17/05/2004