WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1507/99 by Maria SANDERS-TEN HOLTE French government's ban on freight traffic in France on 11 August 1999 in connection with the solar eclipse
29. 1. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 27 E/101 national rules concerning single vehicle type- approval continue to be applied in the Member States although it is possible that certain systems, components and separate technical units for caravans may have been approved under Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers. The Commission is hopeful that completion of the system of EC vehicle type-approval for vehicles of this type will be agreed within the medium-term. (1) OJ C 143, 15. 5. 1996. (2000/C 27 E/125) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1507/99 by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Commission (1 September 1999) Subject: French governmentís ban on freight traffic in France on 11 August 1999 in connection with the solar eclipse On 27 July 1999 it was reported on the news that the French government is seeking to impose a ban on (freight) traffic in France on 11 August in connection with the solar eclipse. The government says this is for safety reasons. Is the Commission aware of Franceís intentions and, 1. justified? if so, is it of the opinion that this ban is Does the Commission agree that this ban will paralyse international business and freight traffic, 2. thereby causing unnecessary financial damage, and that this is unacceptable? Does the Commission agree that the ban is excessive given that lorries normally drive at night in 3. France and that no additional safety measures are taken? Does the Commission agree that not only France but also the whole of international trade will be 4. affected by this ban and that France cannot therefore simply impose it? 5. What action does the Commission intend to take before 11 August to prevent the ban entering into fore? Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1999) In view of the fact that this question was obviously related to a specific time and event during the Parliamentary recess the Commission wrote to the Honourable Member on 6 August responding to her enquiries. In that letter the Commission said that it was aware of the French governmentís intention to impose a ban on freight traffic on 11 August 1999 because of the solar eclipse and was of the opinion that such a ban would be justified if it was imposed for road safety reasons and if the measure is in proportion to the aims pursued, even though it could affect international traffic. In the view of the Commission the safety risk did not relate to darkness caused by the solar eclipse in France but rather to the expected massive movements of people who wanted to watch the eclipse from certain locations. In this particular case, the Commission took the view that proportionality meant that the ban should be restricted in time (i. e. not the entire day), should be restricted in space (i. e. probably not the entire French territory) and should distinguish between categories of roads (i. e. secondary roads as opposed to motor- ways). The Commission wrote to the French authorities accordingly, but has not yet received a response