Brussels wants better brakes for cars

Cars manufactured or imported into Europe from 2009 will have to have a more advanced breaking system if a proposal submitted by the European Commission yesterday meets the agreement of member states.

European Industry Commissioner Gunther Verheugen unveiled a proposal yesterday introducing the need for passenger cars to be fitted with Brake Assist Systems (BAS) from 2009. The aim is to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

According to a commission study, as many as 8,000 road users, pedestrians and cyclists are killed every year in the EU.

The use of BAS, according to the EU executive, can considerably cut the stopping distance of a vehicle in an emergency situation, with the effect that a collision with a pedestrian could be avoided altogether or would occur at least at a far lower speed. This will reduce the number of fatalities by 1,100 a year, according to estimates.

In 2001, the EU set a target to reduce the overall number of fatal road accidents by 50 per cent by the year 2010.

This proposal, Mr Verheugen said, is important for the safety of all road users, especially vulnerable groups like pedestrians and cyclists.

The proposal is set to meet resistance from member states with car manufacturing industries as these measures are expected to push up the cost of cars.

The Commission said yesterday that the costs involved are minimal next to human life and are thus justified. The BAS system involves sensors that warn drivers of a possible collision and provides extra braking power to a vehicle.