The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) votes its draft report on the Driving Licenses Directive, which is part of the Road Safety Package. The directive primarily seeks to improve the road safety through streamlined requirements for novice drivers, accompanied driving schemes as well as provisions related to physical and mental fitness. Another important goal of this piece of legislation is to improve the freedom of movement within the European Union. This news item shows extracts from the vote and the statement by Karima DELLI, (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur.

Brussels

statement

vote

Committee on Transport and Tourism

DELLI, Karima (Greens/EFA, FR)

road safety (T)

Delivery EE2024 (T)

EU rules on driving license: extracts from the vote and statement by Karima DELLI, (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur

External shot of the European Parliament in Brussels

Cutaways of the votes on EU rules on driving licence during the TRAN Committee (18 shots)

Final vote on EU rules on driving licence (22 for, 21 against, 2 abstentions)

SOUNDBITE (French), Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, In 2022, we realised that there were more than twenty thousand deaths on the roads in the European Union. This modality affects young motorists but also the oldest. So, the report that we voted on in Parliament this morning sends a very clear message. It is a common sense report that says that the driver's license must be the lever for action towards road safety. That is why we have worked with a desire to replay the recommendations of road safety associations, but also of all the studies emanating from the European Commission and experts, showing that it is absolutely necessary to find good practices throughout Europe and to harmonize them with an objective that is very clear: we must really achieve a reduction of less than 50% in the number of deaths on our roads by 2030. But above all, enter into the European strategy of zero deaths, zero serious injuries on our roads by 2050.

SOUNDBITE (French), Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, First of all, zero tolerance for drugs. Also, much stricter controls for young drivers, especially concerning alcohol. Across Europe, this will be limited to 0.2 grams per liter. And also, for example, a mandatory medical examination, whether upon obtaining or renewing. It is essential to see if you are particularly able to drive, whether due to vision problems or otherwise. We are in support, especially for drivers.

SOUNDBITE (French), Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, The younger you are, the less experience you have, but the more likely you are to die on the road. This is the reason why we have really worked on supporting these young drivers, especially with two branches that we believe are essential. The alcohol issue and the drug issue. And then, there is no discrimination against the older ones. We have concerning this medical visit. It will be mandatory regardless of age. It will be renewable every fifteen years to be able to accompany you safely on the roads in Europe.