Following extensive lobbying, the much feared 'Third Driving Licence Directive' stands a chance of failing when EU Ministers meet in Brussels next Monday, say the (BMF) British Motorcyclists Federation. Despite this, the British Government through its UK Presidency, saying that it was not willing to consider any amendments.
Advice received by the BMF from UK Minister of Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman, indicated that the British Government was not willing to consider any amendments to the text of the draft Directive, however British MEPs and MEPs from other member states have been more open to our arguments say the BMF. Although the UK Presidency has put the Third Driving Licence Directive on the agenda of the European Council of Ministers’ meeting of 5th December, there is now considerable doubt as to the outcome. Several Member States, including France, Germany, Poland and Austria have asked for the item to be taken off the agenda, while there is also support from Spain, Italy and possibly Germany, for the motorcycling aspects of the draft Directive to be reconsidered.
This could result in a failure to reach a ‘Common Position’* and the Third Driving Licence Directive dossier being passed on to the Austrian Presidency that starts in January. Re-stating its own position, the BMF say that while it accepts the harmonisation of licence formats; sensible road safety measures to keep dangerous drivers off the road; protection against fraud and the prevention of ‘licence tourism’, the proposed motorcycling measures contained in the Directive are unduly complex, will act as a disincentive to anyone contemplating taking up motorcycling and, due to their complexity, will be difficult to interpret, apply and enforce.
Commenting, the BMF’s Senior Government Relations Executive Trevor Magner said, “Through its EU Presidency the British Government has done motorcyclists a disservice". The proposals in the draft Directive are diametrically opposed to the Government’s own recently published Motorcycling Strategy and so by accepting them, the Government has failed to live up to its own strategy. These proposals are inept, ill-conceived and will do nothing to improve safety. We want the UK Presidency to have been a success, but not at the expense of motorcycling.”
*NOTE
The draft Directive has been through the European Parliament but is awaiting the Council of Ministers agreeing a Common Position on 5th December in order to complete the First Reading. If the Council fail to agree a Common Position, this will give time for EU institutions to re-visit the draft and attend to its shortfalls.
Related Linkswww.bmf.co.uk
