Road safety: safety belts and restraint systems (amend. Directive 77/541/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 maximum protection, they should undergo tests with a view to their type approval and be adapted to the seat models used in the different categories of vehicle.

The Council approved all the measures recommended by the Commission, but decided to make the technical provisions concerning anchorages for belts to be worn by disabled persons more flexible. It instructed the Commission to study this question in detail. The Council rejected the amendments proposed by the European Parliament. In conclusion, the Commission fully supports the Council's common position.