Overview
- The European Commission has proposed annual inspections for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles older than ten years, aiming to improve road safety and reduce emissions.
- The proposal, part of the EU's Vision Zero initiative, seeks to halve traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 and approach near-zero by 2050.
- The Commission estimates the measure could save 7,000 lives and prevent 65,000 serious injuries annually, reducing road fatalities and injuries by 1%.
- Critics, including the ADAC and some EU legislators, argue the plan imposes unnecessary costs and bureaucratic burdens on vehicle owners, particularly in countries like Germany where inspections are biennial.
- The proposal requires approval from the European Parliament and EU member states, with debates ongoing about its feasibility and impact on existing national regulations.