FIA Euroboard Delegation met Commissioner Jacques Barrot

Publication date: 25 April 2006

Region I President Werner Kraus, FIA Deputy President Sebastiŕ Salvadó and the Director General of the FIA European Bureau Johann Grill met today Jacques Barrot, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of transport matters (picture). The meeting focused on road safety and the role of the clubs as consumer protectors. Environmental and transport policy questions were also on the agenda.

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Concerning road safety, Mr. Kraus underlined the importance of a rapid European wide implementation of Electronic Stability Control in new cars. He explained Austria’s experience with two stage driver training and the resulting positive effects on novice drivers. The Commission’s plans for the introduction of daytime running lights and the user’s view on forthcoming traffic law enforcement measures were discussed.

Mr. Kraus highlighted the important role played by the FIA and the European Clubs in defending consumers’ interests. He described the work of testing cooperations like EuroTest and the child seat testing project NPACS. The Commissioner expressed his appreciation for the work of the FIA. In particular, he recognised that the media work of the clubs has an enormous effect on the drivers. EuroTAP, a three-year tunnel testing programme co-funded by the Commission reached more than 200m Europeans in its 2005 launch.

Other subjects discussed were the FIA’s position on the Euro V emissions Directive and on the principles of the European transport policy, which were explained by Mr. Salvado. Commissioner Barrot and Mr Kraus agreed on the enormous importance of the car for the European economy and society. However more is needed to minimize safety risks and impact on the environment.