European Parliament adopts Intelligent Car Report

MEP Zita Gurmai’s own initiative report on the European Commission’s Intelligent Car Communication “Towards Europe-wide Safer, Cleaner and Efficient Mobility” has been discussed and voted on by the Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 19th of June. The report was adopted 417 votes in favor, 6 against and 5 abstentions.
In adopting Ms. Gurmai’s report, the European Parliament stated that the take-up of intelligent car technologies remain very low, given their potential. MEPs stressed that such technologies need to become cheaper and also be better publicised.

Zita Gurmai saw her report adopted without amendments and stated that Intelligent Vehicle Systems could substantially reduce the annual death toll on European roads as well as alleviating or remedying congestion, environmental and public health problems.

One of the key eSafety issues brought forward in the Commission’s Intelligent Car Communication of 17 September 2007 (COM(2007) 541 final) is the accelerated introduction of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), in order to aim at 100% availability of ESC by 2012. The report also urges stakeholders to work towards improving awareness and affordability of the intelligent vehicle systems.

On the eve of the vote, an information event was organised by eSafety Support at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, in order to raise awareness on the Intelligent Car Initiative and stimulate discussion among policy makers. The reception was attended by around 90 politicians, officials and other stakeholders, listening to the information provided by speakers such as MEP Brian Simpson; MEP Malcolm Harbour; Hermann Meyer, CEO of ERTICO-ITS Europe and André Vits, Head of Unit "ICT for Transport" at the European Commission.

Intelligent Car Report -  pdf (139 KB)

European Commission’s Intelligent Car Communication -  pdf (55 KB)