Road safety: seats, anchorages and head restraints (amend. Directive 74/408/EEC)

The Commission proposes to make it obligatory to fit all motor vehicles with safety belts in order to prevent the danger of passengers being thrown out. For safety belts to be able to offer optimum protection, they should be attached to seats which are compatible with the stresses exerted on the belt in the event of a collision. It is also important that the seat back can absorb energy. As side-facing seats cannot satisfy these conditions, the Commission proposes to ban them.

The Council approved all the measures recommended by the Commission, while making two amendments to improve them. The Council also rejected the amendments proposed by the European Parliament. In conclusion, the Commission fully supports the Council's common position.