Yorkshire and Humber Labour MEP Richard Corbett has welcomed new car safety laws that will help save lives, the environment - and money, following their adoption by the European Parliament.

Richard said: "This new legislation will boost protection for motorists, put more money in their pockets and help the environment by improving fuel consumption and reducing emissions and will even cut the numbers of people dying from heart attacks.

"Plans to make gear shift indicators compulsory and to introduce new Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems, warning drivers to check and inflate their tyres, will protect motorists and pedestrians by improving vehicle control. Levels of CO2 will drop and so will petrol costs.

"What's more, ensuring tyre pressures are at optimum level reduces road traffic noise, a major cause of stress and even death."

Traffic noise is linked to 50,000 fatal heart attacks every year and 200,000 cases of cardio-vascular disease across the EU.

The legislation also includes tougher standards on tyre tread to improve vehicle performance in wet conditions and lane-departure warnings to help avoid accidents caused by drivers drifting into other lanes.

Richard, pointing out that the rules would replace the 50 different type approval rules currently in existence, said: "In replacing the 50 existing type approval certificates with one set of common rules, this is an example of how EU legislation, when done well, can cut red tape for business.

"This new deal will have a real impact. It is a big victory for safety and the environment."

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• According to a report from the World Health Organisation unwanted noise, such as that from road traffic, triggers stress hormones and increases the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. 'Traffic noise reduction in Europe: health effects, social costs and technical and policy options to reduce road and rail traffic noise' (European Federation for Transport and the Enivronment, February 2008) found that close to half of all Europeans are regularly exposed to traffic noise levels that are potentially dangerous to health and that this noise is linked to 50,000 fatal heart attacks every year and 200,000 cases of cardio-vascular disease in the EU.

more information

Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP

• phone 0113 245 8987
• e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk