Traffic - EU parliamentary committee wants medical checks for drivers
The Transport Committee in the EU Parliament has voted by a narrow majority in favor of regular medical examinations for drivers. "This medical examination will be mandatory every 15 years when obtaining and renewing a driver's license," said Karima Delli, the MEP responsible for the issue. This applies to novice drivers, young people, but also older people, according to the committee chairwoman.
The new rules are based on a proposal by the EU Commission with the aim of making road traffic safer. Should the Transport Committee's position prevail in upcoming negotiations, people would have to prove that they are physically and mentally capable of driving safely. This would involve, for example, whether they can still see well enough to drive.
However, it is unclear whether this will happen. The committee's position is expected to be voted on by the entire EU Parliament in January or February, when amendments can be tabled. The project will then be finally negotiated with the EU member states, and amendments are also possible here. The EU countries had already determined their position on Monday and - unlike the committee - did not advocate mandatory investigations. However, there are signs both in Parliament and among the EU member states that accompanied driving from the age of 17 could become the standard across the EU in future.
According to EU figures, more than 20,000 people die on the roads in the European Union every year. The aim is to halve the number of road deaths by 2030. However, it does not currently look like this target will be met. After a significant decline during the coronavirus pandemic, the number of deaths has recently risen again.
French Green MEP Delli originally wanted even stricter restrictions, but her plans attracted cross-party criticism. According to the committee chairwoman, several originally planned tightening measures have therefore been dropped. These included a special category of driving license that was to be introduced for heavy cars such as SUVs. The possibility that individual EU member states could introduce night-time driving bans for young drivers is also reportedly no longer on the table.
How are German MEPs reacting?
The health checks are not going down well with German MEPs. FDP politician Jan-Christoph Oetjen sees mandatory checks as "completely excessive". In the vote in Parliament, the FDP will do everything in its power to ensure that this does not become a reality. His CDU colleague Jens Gieseke also criticized the tests; both politicians see them as unnecessary bureaucracy. In a press release, however, Gieseke was pleased that tractor driver's licenses could be recognized throughout Europe in future.
The aim is to conclude the negotiations before the European elections next year. As with other directives, Germany will then have to transpose the requirements into national law. A deadline of three years after the regulation comes into force is currently set for this.
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Source: www.stern.de
