MEPs call to phase out Bull Bars

Publication date: 19 January 2005

Parliament's Transport Committee called for tougher safety standards for frontal protection systems on road vehicles when it adopted a report today on a Commission proposal (COM(2003) 586 final - 2003/0226 (COD)) setting out tests for such systems, which include bull bars. Car manufacturers have already made a voluntary agreement with the Commission not to install "rigid bull bars" on new cars. This new draft directive, however, details the tests for approving all frontal protection systems. MEPs are anxious that frontal protection systems should be designed in a way that improves pedestrian safety and reduces the number of injuries.

report_draft_hedkvist_bull_bars.pdf (179 KB)

com2003_0586_bull_bars.pdf (93 KB)

European, Japanese and Korean manufactures made a voluntary commitment with the Commission not to install so called ”rigid bull bars” as frontal protection systems on new vehicles from 2002. The European Parliament, in June 2002, adopted a non-binding resolution welcoming the ban. This new proposal goes further and lays down tests that must be complied with by frontal protection systems either as originally fitted to a vehicle or put on the market as separate technical units. The aim is to improve the protection of pedestrians and mitigate the severity of injuries to them and other vulnerable road users in the event of a collision with a vehicle fitted with such a system.

In order to comply with the proposal, frontal protection systems will have to pass a number of tests with regard to aggressiveness towards pedestrians and vulnerable road users. The requirements consist of four tests (based on the recommendations of the European Enhanced Vehicle safety Committee, or EEVC) which will be required to be carried out on these systems in order for them to be acceptable for use. The Transport Committee, in amendments adopted, tightens up some of these tests.

The committee stresses that tests should require that frontal protection systems be designed in a way that improves pedestrian safety and reduces the number of injuries. Furthermore, the committee emphasises that the directive is aimed at improving pedestrian and vehicle safety through passive measures. The committee agrees that the scope of the directive should be limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. MEPs also introduce a review clause, stating that the Commission should review the technical provisions of the directive, in the light of technical progress and experience, no later than four years and nine months after it has been published. Other amendments adopted by the committee change the date for the entry into force of the directive. The final report was adopted with 40 MEPs in favour, 0 against and 4 abstentions.

Ewa Hedkvist Petersen, the rapporteur, stated that she hoped that the directive could be adpoted at first reading and she would be holding an informal trialogue before the plenary vote in Strasbourg (scheduled for 22 February 2005). If approved, the text will take effect on 1 January 2007.

Related News Item:
EU moves to remove "bull bars" (10 October 2003)

For more information:
- compromise amendments 1-14 to the draft report
- amendments 16-34 to the draft report
550990en.pdf (142 KB)

549918en.pdf (155 KB)