Mandatory ABS by 2015 could save more than 1000 lives, FIA says to MEPs

Publication date: 07 June 2011

Press Release
Brussels
7 June 2011

More than 1000 European lives could be saved if mandatory Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) were introduced by 2015 instead of 2017, said the FIA European Bureau in a letter addressed to the key MEPS involved in the dossier.

“MEPs cannot afford to wait until 2017 to make ABS compulsory in motorcycles. More than 1000 lives could be saved across Europe by setting a deadline of 2015 according to our Clubs’ research”, said Jacob Bangsgaard, Director General of FIA Region I, which represents 35 million motoring consumers via 71 member Clubs in Europe.

Whilst welcoming the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee report, and its support for the mandatory introduction of ABS for medium and high performance motorcycles (L3e-A2 & L3e-A3), the FIA is calling on MEPs to make ABS technology mandatory as early as possible for the benefit of all European citizens.

 “The earlier we act, the more fatalities will be avoided on European roads. Even an introduction by 2016 would lead to almost 500 fatalities less compared to 2017,” said Mr Bangsgaard.

As underlined by the European Commission in its Action Plan for Road Safety, motorcyclists remain an important risk category, with constant high fatality rates. Mandatory ABS for motorcycles will help reduce the risk of accidents by providing better driving stability during braking, as well as a reduction of the emergency braking distance.

“The technology is available now. It certainly has a cost but much lower than the price consumers pay for the option today. Mandatory implementation will contribute to lowering the cost of this technology, thus helping to make it available to consumers”, said Mr Bangsgaard, who added, “Our previous experience with ESC shows that type-approval regulation can contribute to making life-saving technologies widely available, at an affordable price”.

The letter comes ahead of a deadline for amendments to the European Parliament’s IMCO report on the Commission’s proposal “on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles”, set for 20 June.

Note to Editors:
Dutch MEP, Wim Van de Camp is IMCO Rapporteur on the Commission's proposal on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles (COM (2010) 542) . MEPs have until 20th June to hand in their amendments to Mr Van de Camp’s report which was presented in Parliament on 24th May. The IMCO Report will be voted on at the beginning of October. The plenary vote on the IMCO Report is currently scheduled for late October.

FIA European Bureau: Who do we represent ?

The FIA European Bureau represents 71 Touring and Motoring clubs in the European Union, which total more than 35 million members. We represent the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists.

The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient at EU level. With these aims in mind our work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring.