§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional manufacturing costs for each vehicle if all new cars were to meet the four tests developed by the European Enhanced Safety of482W Vehicles Committee; and what scientific advice he has received on the proposal for a two-stage negotiated agreement on this subject. [9976]
§ Mr. JamiesonPrevious estimates have indicated a manufacturing cost increase of between £110 and £330 per vehicle to meet the full EEVC tests. However, we believe that this cost would reduce appreciably as manufacturers gain experience of pedestrian design, and as improved technological solutions become available.
Past research has indicated that the benefits obtained from the full EEVC proposals (as proposed for the second phase of a negotiated agreement) would be in the range of an 8 per cent. reduction in pedestrian fatalities and a 21 per cent. reduction in pedestrian serious injuries. Although the first phase of the negotiated agreement would lead to appreciable casualty reductions, the second phase offers greater protection against head injuries and reduced likelihood of leg injuries, a particular aspect being reduced knee injuries.