EUROPEAN AGENDA: Internal Market & Industry

17 June 2021, Transport MEPs list main steps to make EU roads safer

The goal of zero deaths on European roads by 2050 calls for more robust measures on road safety, such as, 30 km/h speed limit or zero-tolerance for drink-driving, Transport MEPs say.

Speeding is a key factor in around 30% of fatal road crashes, Transport MEPs note. They call on the Commission to come up with a recommendation to apply safe speed limits, such as maximum speed of 30km/h in residential areas and areas where there are high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians. To further promote safe road use, they also urge to set a zero-tolerance drink-driving limit, highlighting that alcohol is involved in around 25% of all road fatalities.

The draft resolution also welcomes the recent revision of the General Safety Regulation, which will make new advanced safety features in vehicles such as intelligent speed assistance and emergency lane keeping systems mandatory in the EU as from 2022, with the potential to save around 7 300 lives and avoid 38 900 serious injuries by 2030. Moreover, MEPs ask the Commission to consider the incorporation of a “driving safe mode” for mobile and electronic devices of drivers in order to inhibit distractions while driving.

Tax incentives and attractive motor insurance schemes for the purchase and use of vehicles with the highest safety standards should be pursued, MEPs add.

European road transport agency

To properly implement the next steps in the EU road safety policy, new capacities are needed in the field of road safety, says the draft text. Therefore, Transport MEPs call on the Commission to establish a European road transport agency to support sustainable, safe and smart road transport.

EP rapporteur Elena Kountoura (The Left, EL) said:

“Strong political will by the national governments and the European Commission is essential to do what it takes to halve road fatalities by 2030 and move decisively towards Vision Zero by 2050. We must mobilise more investments towards safer road infrastructure, make sure that cars are equipped with the best life-saving technologies, establish speed limits of 30 km/h in cities across Europe, adopt zero tolerance on drink-driving and ensure strict enforcement of road traffic rules.”

More information

Press release — European Parliament

7 July 2021, Ageing Europe: close gender pension gap and end discrimination against elderly

MEPs call for inter-generational solidarity to ensure old people are valued and their social inclusion is guaranteed.

In a resolution adopted today, Parliament demands policies that promote a positive perception of old age in society and the social inclusion of older people. They ask the Commission and member states to strengthen their efforts to combat all forms of age-based discrimination, particularly that suffered by women. MEPs stress the importance of fair pensions and ask for concrete measures to tackle the gender pension gap.

Healthcare

The text calls on member states to ensure equal access to health and care services, including at home, as well as long-term care and palliative care, without discrimination. Safeguarding and advancing sexual and reproductive rights should be a priority. The specific needs of people living with illness, including those affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, should be taken into account, MEPs say.

Making use of the potential of the silver economy

MEPs are convinced that the so-called silver economy could become an important economic factor in Europe, particularly in rural areas. They demand the European Commission and the Council promote this sector more vigorously, including through tourism and cultural exchanges geared towards older people. Furthermore, they call for the establishment of a Year of Intergenerational Solidarity and Active Ageing.

Bridging the digital divide

Parliament emphasises the need to strengthen the digital skills of older people, so they can benefit from online education and improve their access to healthcare and other digital services. Enhancing the connectivity and accessibility of services in rural and remote areas is crucial to address their depopulation and the social and digital exclusion of older people living there.

“The ageing of the population is one of the most significant challenges facing the EU today. Seniors need our special attention and strategy in EU activities. The EU should help and support the Member States regarding the senior’s policies. My most important goal is to highlight the role of seniors in EU societies, to provide them with appropriate care, to prevent loneliness in old age and to benefit from their vast knowledge and experience. That is why we talk so much about intergenerational solidarity and support for initiatives based on the silver economy and mentoring,” said rapporteur Beata Szydlo (ECR, PL).

The report was adopted by 479 votes to 103 and 113 abstentions.

More information

Press release — European Parliament

12 July 2021, MEPs approve new rules to better protect road accident victims

Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted on Monday updated motor insurance rules providing more protection, transparency and smoother cooperation throughout the EU.

Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the directive on 22 June 2021. The amended rules will better protect injured people when accidents occur in any EU member state, including domestic victims of an accident caused by a driver from another EU country. Victims of accidents will also be protected if a liable party’s insurance company goes bankrupt, as the new rules require national compensation bodies to meet costs arising from such cases.

The rules harmonise minimum amounts of cover across the EU:

• for personal injuries: €6 070 000 per accident or €1 220 000 per injured party;
• for damages to property: €1 220 000 per accident.

To tackle uninsured driving, the amended directive allows cross-border insurance checks on vehicles. However, such checks should be non-discriminatory as part of regular checks, and not require the vehicle to be stopped.

More clarity for pricing and claims history

The agreement introduces mandatory use of a Single Claims History Statement and obligations to inform citizens how they can apply for compensation. Additionally, insurance providers will have to treat all EU citizens equally by accepting claims-history statements from another member state as equal to a domestic statement and apply any discounts based on that (such as ‘bonus-malus’ discounts).

Citizens will be able to compare prices, tariffs and coverage offered by different providers more easily thanks to new free-of-charge and independent price comparison tools.

Excluding e-bikes, motorsports and non-road vehicles

To avoid overregulation, the amended rules allow non-road vehicles (such as garden tractors, mobility scooters, toy cars) to be excluded as well as excluding electric bicycles from insurance obligations. Vehicles intended exclusively for motorsports are also excluded.

Internal Market Committee adopted the amended rules with 42 votes in favour (two against, one abstention). Rapporteur Dita Charanzová (Renew, CZ) said:

“It was high time to clarify motor insurance rules, so that Europeans are better protected and treated equally in the EU when accidents occur and when insuring their vehicles. We have made sure that people are compensated also for road accidents where the insurance company goes bankrupt, and created new tools for all citizens to be able to compare prices, tariffs and coverage from insurance providers. With this political agreement we have additionally managed to curb absurd overregulation of motorsports, e-bikes and given member states the tools to exclude mobility scooters, kids’ toys or lawnmowers.”

Next steps

The directive will now have to be formally approved in a plenary vote. Once approved, the directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. The new rules will start to apply 24 months after the entry into force

More information

Press release — European Parliament