Transport safety: speedometers for 2 or 3 wheel motor vehicles (amend. direct. 92/61/EEC)

The Committee has adopted the report by Roger BARTON (PES, UK) on a directive on speedometers for two- or three-wheel motor vehicles (codecision procedure, first reading). Until now, speedometers in this category have displayed certain technical characteristics which vary from Member State to Member State. These variations obstruct intra-Community trade and have a serious effect on road safety. The Commission's proposal is also a response to a request from the Benelux countries for a proposal precluding drivers of two- or three-wheel vehicles from invoking the disparity of legislation as a defence against a failure to comply with speed regulations. The original request did not include two- or three-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of 25 km/h or less (light mopeds). The Commission now proposes that the directive should also include these vehicles. The obligatory fitting of speedometers would not add significantly to the price of these mopeds as the majority of them marketed in the EU would already be equipped with speedometers. The rapporteur consulted the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations and the Association of the European Motorcycle Industry and now suggests that the mandatory fitting of speedometers for all type-approved vehicles would be in the interest of all concerned. Adopting the directive would also lead to a better position on world markets for vehicles produced in the EU. Power assisted vehicles (PAC) do not come within the scope of this directive. �