DAYTIME HEADLIGHTS RULED NOT COMPULSORY

Fiona Hall MEP has welcomed the decision by the European Commission not to call for the use of daytime dipped-beam headlights. The proposal was contentious because of the potential effects to other road users.

Fiona Hall was joined by FEMA, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations, in welcoming the decision.

Commenting after the ruling, Fiona Hall said:

“This is good news! While this may have increased the visibility of cars it would have done so at the expense of smaller and more vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists.

“Motorcyclists across the EU already use dipped-beam headlights during the daytime in order to make themselves more conspicuous and to distinguish themselves from other vehicles. The final ruling was based on the premise that there is not enough evidence to show the impact the proposed law would have on road users, such as motorcyclists, who currently use dipped-beam headlights.

“More research needs to be done so that we can find a way of making cars even more visible during the daytime without taking away the advantage gained by other road users who put on dipped-beam headlights during hours of daylight.”