It has established competence in several areas such as seat belt use in cars, the periodic technical inspection of motor vehicles, roadside checks, tachographs, speed governors, the weights and dimensions of vehicles, the transportation of hazardous goods, driving licences and certain aspects of driver training.

30. Calls, in the context of driver training, as one of the main elements in the education of novice drivers that will achieve and improve road safety, for urgent attention to be paid to the main causes of road deaths and serious injuries, such as speeding, driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs or certain medications that affect driving ability, failure to wear a seat belt or other protective equipment such as helmets ...[+++] for users of two-wheel vehicles, the use of mobile communications devices while driving, and tiredness;

21. Points out that enforcing compliance with existing road traffic rules would dramatically improve road safety as most accidents are the result of the non-respect of traffic rules; especially emphasises the importance of compliance with speed, blood alcohol limits, medicine and drug intake as well as with rules on the use of seat belts and helmets noting that these, primarily fall within the competence of the Member States but are in urgent need of coordination and dissemination of best practice; especially welcomes the Recommendation of the European Commission of 17 January 2001 of a maximum alcohol level of 0.5 mg/ml and urges all ...[+++]Member States to adopt this maximum limit; urges Member States to implement swiftly the Commission's Recommendation of 6 April 2004 on enforcement ; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of the Recommendation and, as necessary, to lend support to Member States which do not succeed in implementing the Recommendation; calls on the Commission to report, in its mid-term review of the Action Programme, on the level of implementation; calls on the Commission, on the basis of this evaluation, to propose the necessary legislative measures of a binding nature in the area of maximum alcohol levels (in line with the European Parliament recommendation of 0.5 mg/ml for adults and 0.2mg/ml for novice drivers) and the use of safety-belts;

The proposed directive, as well as protecting children in cars, will help to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from accidents in coaches, minibuses and lorries, by making the use of safety belts compulsory for drivers and passengers when those safety belts are supplied.

The Commission’s proposal also extends the scope of the directive by including in it the wearing of a safety belt, by the driver and seated passengers, in all motor vehicles which are suitably equipped.

The proposed directive, as well as protecting children in cars, will help to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from accidents in coaches, minibuses and lorries, by making the use of safety belts compulsory for drivers and passengers when those safety belts are supplied.