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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

252 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the recent EU directives regarding mirrors on trucks; if the Government has implemented these directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31412/01]

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

267 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to formulate regulations to improve mirrors on heavy vehicles in order to ameliorate the so-called blind spot cited as a factor in many accidents. [31656/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 267 together.

Under existing national traffic regulations, every motor vehicle must be so constructed that the driver can at all times have a view of the road in front and to the sides of the vehicle, necessary to enable him/her to drive safely. Every motor vehicle must, depending on its type, be equipped with a rear view mirror or mirrors to enable the driver while seated in the driving seat to obtain an adequate view of the road to the rear of the vehicle.

The most recent EU directive dealing with mirrors on motor vehicles is Directive 88/321/EEC, which deals with type approval of mirrors on new vehicles only. The directive provides a technical specification for the driver's field of view but does not address the problem of possible blind spots, particularly in the case of large articulated vehicles turning sharply. The directive is not mandatory on member states in relation to goods vehicles, except in so far as they may not refuse the initial registration, sale or entry into service on grounds relating to mirrors provided that they are type approved in accordance with Directive 88/321/EEC. The European Commission is now developing a further directive on this matter, which may address the issue of blind spots.

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