Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-12-16-Speech-2-501"
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"en.20081216.44.2-501"2
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Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I must thank all those who have taken part in the debate. They have lent weight to the decision that I hope will be taken by this House tomorrow, as well as to the Commission’s work in the Council. It will not be easy, but I believe that together we will get there in the end.
I must emphasise the seriousness of the traffic offences that we are discussing, which cause the majority of fatal accidents. Allow me to go back over a few statistics with you: on the basis of the 2007 impact assessment, which includes evaluations of the previous three years, 30% of road deaths were caused by speeding, and 25% by drink-driving and, I should add, by driving under the influence of drugs. That is why I support Amendment 38 tabled by Mrs Lichtenberger, which adds certain enhancements to the Commission’s text. I have my doubts about the EUR 70 issue because it would make for unequal treatment.
Seventeen per cent of accidents are caused by failure to wear a seat-belt, and approximately 4% by jumping red lights. In total, 75% of road traffic deaths are the result of one or more of these four violations of road traffic laws. I think that is all I have to say. For the sake of clarity, let me turn to the Council, to those representing the Council, the General Secretariat of the Council, and repeat what I said a few days ago at the Council of Transport Ministers: it is not the Commission’s intention to reduce Member States’ powers; we are interested only in reducing the number of deaths on the roads in the European Union. In so doing we intend – to answer Mr Rack, as well – never to hide behind the application of laws.
As far as the offences are concerned, we have stood firm against the Member States, but only on matters concerning forms of transport other than cars, because this is the first time that we have taken action in the automobile sector. We have legislation on driving heavy goods vehicles, but not cars. Thus I believe that, thanks to the encouragement received from this House today, we at the Commission – I can assure you all, and Mr Matsakis – are pressing onwards; we do not intend to stop because, I repeat, when it comes to saving human lives, no legal objection can block the actions of those who have political responsibilities towards half a billion European citizens.
To conclude, Mr President, I hope that this Christmas and New Year will give time for reflection to all the ministers who have had concerns about the text that the Commission, with Parliament’s support, presented to the Council. Finally, as this is the last speech I will make before the Christmas break, Mr President, on behalf of the Commission, I would like to extend my best wishes to all the honourable Members, the Presidency and the whole of Parliament."@en1
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