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Day Time Running Lights - Idea Dims
Issued 21st March 2007
Europe’s enthusiasm for imposing Daytime Running Lights (DRL) for all vehicles has dimmed somewhat, says the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) the UK’s most active riders rights group.
Following responses to a consultation from the European Commission on DRLs, the Head of the European Commission’s Road Safety Unit, Dr Stefan Tostmann, announced at a recent meeting with FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) representatives that the Commission would call for a 6month deferral in the United Nations legislative process.
The deferral was formally accepted in Geneva during the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations.
MAG’s Public Affairs Director, Trevor Baird said, “This reassessment endorses the credibility of MAG’s emphatic stance on this issue. We challenged the road safety benefits of mandatory DRL for all vehicles, questioned the validity of the research on which the Commission’s proposal was based, and sought reassurance that the consultation process within the European Union would not be negated by decisions taken at the United Nations.”
FEMAs Virginie Peters said, “The halt in the legislative process can unquestionably be considered as a victory for FEMA and its members. It would be unacceptable to adopt a measure that would benefit one category of road user while putting the life of another group in jeopardy.
MAG’s view is that a more effective way to address riders’ safety is to focus on the issue of rider awareness within the car training and testing regimes. This is a cost effective measure that would more accurately address the nub of the issue.
Ends
Notes For Editors
1. MAG Response to the European Commission Consultation can be downloaded Here pdf
2. MAGs Document “How Close Is To Close” can be downloaded Here pdf
3. FEMA www.fema.ridersrights.org
Issued by
Trevor Baird
Public Affairs Director
MAG UK
PO BOX 750
Rugby
CV21 3ZR
Tel: +44 (0)870 444 8 448
Fax: +44 (0)870 444 8 449
Email public-affairs@mag-uk.org
The UK's Leading Riders' Rights Organisation
www.mag-uk.org
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