Commission’s mobility package aims to make traffic safer
The Commission published the first and second mobility package targeting road traffic in 2017. They contained legislative initiatives on access to the road transport market, social issues, transport pricing and the monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles.
The third mobility package - or a set of initiatives - was published on 17 May 2018. It aims to complete the modernisation of Europe's transport system. In other words, the package is designed to make future transport systems safe, clean and efficient for all citizens of the European Union.
The Finnish Government submitted its communication on the Commission's proposal to Parliament on 27 June 2018.
As part of the third mobility package, the Commission published its proposal for a new General Safety Regulation concerning vehicles. It contains initiatives on new mandatory requirements for vehicle safety. The Government supports the objectives of the proposal to improve road safety, and the use of modern technology in improving road safety.
The Government considers, however, that efforts to improve vehicle safety should focus more on setting broader general objectives as technologies develop and automatisation increases. Measures should be taken to avoid making single safety features mandatory. The Government also draws attention to the long transition periods proposed by the Commission. There is a risk that due to technological advances during the transition periods, the requirements will be outdated even before they enter into force.
According to the proposed Regulation, the Commission would have a wide mandate to adopt solutions relating to automatisation and the utilisation of information. The Government considers it important that the existing solutions and technologies will be used as widely as possible. The digitalisation of society calls for widely interoperable solutions. It is possible to achieve such solutions by utilising general-purpose technologies and adopting common practices that promote the availability of information. Sector-specific regulation that deviates from the general practices concerning data security solutions and inter-vehicular communication solutions may risk the wider interoperability of transport, mobility and traffic control.
As part of the mobility package, the Commission also proposes making legislative amendments that would adjust the time limit for implementing the special rules regarding the maximum length of cabins delivering improved aerodynamic performance, energy efficiency and safety performance. If this proposal was approved, it would make it possible to bring to market, earlier than currently allowed by law, heavy goods vehicle cabins that are safer and more aerodynamic. The Government is in favour of shortening this time limit.
Inquiries:
Erik Asplund, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 34 2277
