11. Considers that the active safety measures proposed in the voluntary agreement are not ambitious enough; notes that the introduction across the board of ABS by 2004 is no great challenge, given the existing high level of implementation in the Member States; notes the lack of more ambitious proposals, such as the comprehensive introduction of ESP by 2003 and significantly more exacting commitments to a package of active safety measures including electronic devices to help avoid accidents such as systems to maintain a set distance from preceding vehicles, optical obstacle detection systems and speed-abatement systems, and considers that the best way of protecting ...[+++] pedestrians is by avoiding accidents;

24. Considers that the active safety measures proposed in the voluntary agreement are not ambitious enough; the extensive introduction of ABS by 2004 is hardly a major challenge given the already high implementation rates in the Member States. The agreement lacks ambitious proposals, such as extensive introduction of EPS by 2003 and much more demanding requirements for an active safety package, including electronic accident prevention aids such as sensors to identify and maintain the distance between vehicles, optical obstacle detection and speed limiters. The best kind of pedestrian safety is accident prevention;