EU-US Tradeโฃ Deal โRaises Road Safety Concerns as American Vehicles Set to Flood European markets
Brussels, โคBelgium – A quietly agreed-upon provision within a new โEU-US trade framework is sparking alarm amongst road safetyโข advocates and lobbying groups. The agreement, intended to โease trade barriers,โ introduces mutual recognition of automotive standards – meaning vehicles โคapproved for use in the European union will automatically be approved in the United States, and vice versa, without requiring โadditional safety testing. While hailed as a win for former President Trump, who long criticized โฃthe limited presence of โฃAmerican car brands in europe, experts warn the move could have deadly consequences for European roadโ users.
The deal paves the way for a significant influx of larger American vehicles – brands โขlike Hummer, Chrysler, Dodge, andโ GMC โ- onto European roads. โฃThis prospect is particularly concerning given the stark differencesโข in vehicle size and weight between American and European cars.
“By signing with โฃthe United States the mutual recognition of automotive standards, the European Unionโ has brandished the white flag in terms of road safety,” stated โคAntonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Council for Transport Security (ECTS).”This is not a technical detail, but a politicalโ choiceโค which favors the convenience of trade over the safeguard of human life.”
A Matter of Size and Safety
American vehicles,โ particularly pick-up trucks and SUVs, are typically significantly larger, heavier, and wider than their European counterparts. For example, a Ford F-150 can exceed 2 meters in width – comparable to a โฃEuropeanโฃ utility vehicle. The average weight of new vehicles sold in the US surpasses 2 โtonnes, while โEuropean vehicles average around 1.5 tonnes.
These dimensions pose a considerable risk to vulnerableโฃ road users. A higher hood,more massive front end,and increased weight all contribute to moreโ severe outcomes in collisions with pedestrians โขand cyclists.
“Compulsory European requirements in terms of vital technologies, such as automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, and pedestrian protection, have made our cars safer andโค our roads less deadly,” Avenoso explained. “None of these protections are guaranteed by American regulations. Authorizing theโฃ entry of American vehicles onto the European market constitutes a betrayal of European โคleadership in terms of security and will cost lives.”
Infrastructure Concerns Add to the Risk
Beyond the direct safety implications of vehicle design, the influx of larger vehicles raises concerns about Europe’s existing infrastructure. Many European โฃstreets, parking garages, bridges, and roads were designed for smaller vehicles. The addition of significantly wider โcars could exacerbate โคexisting traffic congestion and create newโ challenges for urban mobility.
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