Accepting US car standards would risk European lives
8 days ago
- #vehicle safety standards
- #public health
- #EU-US trade deal
- EU cities and civil society warn against accepting lower US vehicle standards, citing risks to road safety, public health, and jobs.
- EU vehicle safety regulations have reduced road deaths by 36% since 2010, while US road deaths increased by 30%.
- Europe mandates life-saving technologies like pedestrian protection and automated emergency braking, which are not required in the US.
- Accepting US standards could lead to increased pollution exposure in Europe, linked to asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Lower US standards could shift vehicle production from the EU to the US, risking job losses in Europe's automotive sector.
- The European Commission is urged to close import loopholes that allow non-compliant US vehicles on EU roads.
- Signatories call on EU lawmakers to reject the acceptance of lower US standards and affirm EU standards as non-negotiable.