ETSC warns that a shifting political climate is beginning to dismantle the very safety leadership the EU once pioneered.

ETSC highlights five critical areas where recent legislative changes or proposals are actively undermining safety:

  • Small electric vehicle safety “freeze” : a promised 10-year halt on new safety requirements for small EV’s, despite 40% of road deaths occurring in the urban environments where these vehicles proliferate.

  • The rise of 60t “megatrucks”: pushing for cross-border movement of massive “gigaliners” that pose extreme risks to infrastructure and vulnerable road users.

  • Standards dilution: the risk of a shift toward mutual recognition of US vehicle standards, threatening to flood EU markets with heavier, less-regulated SUVs and pickups.

  • Younger lorry drivers: revisions to the Driving Licence Directive that lower minimum ages for HGV drivers, despite clear evidence of higher risk profiles for younger operators.

  • Technical inspection gaps: leaving 70% of the motorcycle fleet (mopeds and motorcycles up to 125cc) without mandatory EU-wide annual safety checks.

  • MacAnus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    11 days ago

    They are, but it seems that lots of people have forgotten how to take responsibility for their actions and property…

    The age-old story of the (hopefully) few making things suck for everybody.

    • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyzEnglish
      1·
      11 days ago

      I don’t follow, are you saying a few people caused accidents by failing to maintain their bikes, necessitating the law or a few legislators were applying car law to bikes without understanding the difference?

      • MacAnus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        11 days ago

        I have no idea how the legislation came to be, I now realize that was your main question…

        I was just giving my opinion on why I think it’s a good thing we have those checks on bikes as well as cars.

        So yeah I just meant that there are too many selfish idiots around us to let anyone take full responsibility over their vehicle’s health, bike or car.

        • Alcoholicorn@mander.xyzEnglish
          1·
          11 days ago

          Nobody is saying motorcycles should never be checked for compliance. The question is why the much simpler and lighter vehicle is subject to the same interval as the 2+ton machines that can injure dozens and close down a road if poorly maintained.

          This feels like it was written by car-brained legislators who want to bring everyone down to their level, like when bicycle liscense plates were a thing.

          • MacAnus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            2·
            10 days ago

            And I didn’t say that anyone said that.
            I didn’t get that ‘annual’ was the important part of your question, my bad. Idk man you’re probably right