Mastodawn

schizoidman Feb 21

EU road safety progress under threat from new era of deregulation

https://lemmy.zip/post/59510291

EU road safety progress under threat from new era of deregulation - Lemmy.zip

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 [https://etsc.eu/etsc-response-to-the-european-commissions-proposal-on-the-small-affordable-cars-initiative/], 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 [https://etsc.eu/trilogues-on-weights-and-dimensions-europe-must-not-allow-unchecked-growth-of-megatrucks/]” that pose extreme risks to infrastructure and vulnerable road users. * Standards dilution: the risk of a shift toward mutual recognition of US vehicle standards [https://etsc.eu/etsc-mutual-recognition-deal-with-u-s-will-cost-lives-on-europes-roads/], 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 [https://etsc.eu/new-eu-rules-on-driving-licences-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/], despite clear evidence of higher risk profiles for younger operators. * Technical inspection gaps: leaving 70% of the motorcycle fleet [https://etsc.eu/ministers-debate-eu-roadworthiness-rules-etsc-warns-on-excluding-70-of-motorcycles-from-testing/] (mopeds and motorcycles up to 125cc) without mandatory EU-wide annual safety checks.

Why do yall need annual motorcycle inspections??

I guess for the same reason we need annual car inspections.

Probably something along the lines of : people cant be trusted to keep an eye on their vehicle’s condition and we don’t want any more pollution and accidents than there already is.

I think it also helps keep vehicles healthy for longer, even though that effect is negated by the fact that we’re getting pushed to replace perfectly functional cars with electric ones…

Alcoholicorn Feb 21

Bikes are such simple machines though, theres people who can’t read but can fix a Honda.

Diagnosing a car problem requires specialist knowledge and equipment, excepting BMWs and some other more technical bikes. Is/was people riding unsafe bikes a problem in Europe, or was car policy just copied over to bikes because reasons?

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 1d 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 18h 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 13h 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.

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

Alcoholicorn 13h 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.

To fill the pockets of inspection operators that get bribe money for passing inspection on shitty vehicles

I know 3 guys in my area that do this, none of them were fined even once.

Alcoholicorn Feb 21

I have zero doubt that’s common, but are corrupt bike inspectors an influential political block? The same applies in US states that require emissions testing, minus the bribery.

but are corrupt bike inspectors an influential political block?

I’m not sure I understand

Alcoholicorn Feb 22

Surely those bike inspectors, while they benefit, aren’t writing bike legislation or telling the guys who do.

Oh… Yea

SharkWeek Feb 21

We don’t - in Spain there’s an inspection every 2 years, and it’s very basic (like, do the brakes work? Is the engine smoking?)