Revision of the Directives of the Roadworthiness Package

Key points

The EESC:

• considers road safety a top priority, with the overarching goal of achieving zero road casualties by 2050. Protecting life, reducing the number of injuries and preventing damage to people, goods and infrastructure are essential components of this effort. Road safety is not only a matter of technical standards but also of social responsibility and good governance, and it must lie at the core of sustainable mobility strategies.

• stresses the need for a systemic approach which, in addition to improving the technical characteristics of vehicles, also enhances the training of operators in the sector, improves the quality of road infrastructure and ensures integrated and participatory governance of the safety system.

• calls on the Commission and the Member States to lay down support measures to ensure that adapting to the new rules does not exacerbate social inequalities, particularly when it comes to low-income households and micro-enterprises.

• stresses the urgent need to standardise tests for electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems and to ensure the availability of qualified technicians and modern equipment in inspection centres, and recommends the establishment of a European framework for the training and certification of inspection staff.