Road safety: compulsory use of belts for children under 12 years of age (amend. Directive 91/671/EEC)

The Commission notes that the Common Position adopted by the Council reflects to a large degree the original proposal made by the Commission and the opinion of the European Parliament in its first reading. The Common Position reflects a balanced compromise. The Council has adopted all of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament which are acceptable to the Commission except for one amendment for a recital that tasked the Commission to conduct an information campaign in parallel with legislation. Although the Council did not accept such a recital, the Commission is actively pursuing campaigns on seat belt use by both passenger car and commercial vehicle occupants. Overall, the Commission supports the common position, as an important step for road safety in the EU and delivers a favourable opinion on it as a whole. It shall however only authorise exemptions under Article 6bis (school buses) and 6ter (large family) after much circumspection.�