Thoughts? This reads as if it's no longer a proposal but actually will become law from next January. What does retroactive mean here? Does it only apply to new cars, or does it mean that cars already fitted with them can keep them? (I've never wanted bull bars, but if it will irritate Tony and his Euro colleagues I will make the effort.)
From The Times on May 27th:
QUOTE Bull-bar curb to cut road deaths By Rory Watson
A EUROPE-WIDE ban on rigid bull bars on new cars will come into force in January after MEPs adopted measures yesterday to improve road safety.
European, Japanese and Korean car manufacturers adopted a voluntary agreement three years ago not to install the equipment on their vehicles, but there is nothing to prevent drivers buying and installing it themselves.
The Transport Research Laboratory estimates that the legislation will prevent almost 140 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries among British pedestrians and cyclists every year. Under the measures, the frontal protection systems of vehicles of up to 3.5 tonnes will have to pass four tests to determine their impact when they hit children or adults. This will make rigid bull bars illegal, although the law will not be retroactive, but will allow the use of non-rigid equipment that manufacturers are developing to improve pedestrian safety. END QUOTE