Frontal impact resistance of motor vehicles (amend. Directive 70/156/EEC)

OBJECTIVE: to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by introducing new standards for the impact resistance of private cars and the frontal impact resistance of light commercial vehicles. COMMUNITY MEASURE: European Parliament and Council directive 96/79/EC on the protection of occupants of motor vehicles in the event of frontal impact and amending Directive 70/156/EEC. SUBSTANCE: the directive applies to new types of vehicle approved after 1 October 1998 and defines a new testing procedure (offset deformable barrier) which, when it is fully operational, will give a more realistic representation of a typical frontal collision and should provide a reasonable level of resistance in the event of such a collision. The directive incorporates the technical recommendations drawn up by the UN Economic Commission for Europe and is based on the experimental research carried out by the EEVC (European Experimental Vehicle Committee). As part of the process of adapting in line with technical progress, the Commission must: - revise the directive between now and 1 October 1998; - review by the end of 1996 and, if necessary, amend appendix 7 of annex II (certification procedure for the dummy's leg and foot) to take account of the certification procedure for the dummy's ankle; - by the end of 1997, review and, if necessary, amend the limit values for the criteria for neck injuries; - by the end of 1997, make the necessary amendments to the specific directives to ensure compatibility with the new directive. Finally, one provision states that the Member States must inform the public of the results of the acceptance tests carried out. Together with the directive on side-impact collisions (COD94322), this directive introduces uniform legislation throughout the Community with regard to crash tests, and supplements the list of specific directives which must be complied with to ensure that vehicles meet the requirements of the Community acceptance procedure set out in Directive 70/156/EEC. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 10/02/1997. DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION: 01/10/1996. �