European car manufacturers may be forced to re-design their cars following a European Commission proposal to cut the number of pedestrian deaths across Europe.
The proposals are set out in a draft Directive that the European Commission tabled today.
According to the Directive, approximately 8,000 pedestrians and cyclists are killed and a further 300,000 injured in the EU each year in road accidents.
The Commission has committed itself to implementing changes in car design in line with the EU target of reducing road deaths by 50 per cent by 2010.
The proposal, which takes account of the European Parliament's call for legislation in the industry, aims to reduce deaths and injuries in road traffic through changes to the vehicles, mainly affecting the bonnet and the bumper.
Vehicle manufacturers, if the proposal is adopted, will have to demonstrate that their vehicles satisfy a series of safety tests.
This proposal will ensure that vehicles are designed with the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in mind," European Enterprise Commissioner, Mr Erkki Liikanen said.
The safety requirements set out in the proposal will significantly reduce the severity of injury to pedestrians involved in accidents with motor vehicles at speeds up to 40 kph, which are typical in an urban environment where most accidents involving pedestrians occur.
It is estimated that up to 2000 fatalities could be prevented by implementing the proposals.
The tests will be applied to new types of vehicles in two phases, the first in 2005 and the second, with enhanced pass criteria, from 2010.
The car industry has already committed itself to achieving the objectives set out in this proposal.