Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-09-07-Speech-4-081"
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"en.20000907.2.4-081"2
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".
For a long time now, the use of cars for transporting people and goods has been such a matter of course that we have given little thought to the effect this has had on many people and the environment. We only saw the economic gain and how convenient it was for the car driver, not the drawbacks. Exhaust fumes and the lack of traffic safety were accepted as part of the deal, as well as the noise cars generate.
Fortunately, over the past few years, this attitude has started to change. Many cities give bicycles and trains more space and restrict the freedom of cars. This does not end the problems caused by cars and lorries. The number of cars is still on the increase, as is the proportion of freight transport by road, and with it, noise pollution.
Looking at it through the eyes of the car industry, it is evident that manufacturers will pass the buck. They will look to the road owner – in general the Government – to increase safety and to reduce environmental pollution. As long as the car industry succeeds in doing this, they, themselves, do not have to look into reducing pollution caused by cars, or incur any additional costs as a result. In their opinion, noise pollution should be countered by using ‘very open asphalt concrete’, a road surface which, however, can turn unexpectedly slippery overnight when frosty.
What matters now is that a choice should be made between the interests of the car and the car-tyre industries on the one hand, and the interests of the public and the environment on the other. Far too often, we see that the short-term interests of powerful industrial groups are given priority, whilst the majority of our electorate increasingly sets different requirements for political decision-making. Protecting the quality of our life, rather than making a fast buck, is gaining in importance all the time.
This contrast was highlighted once again during the debate on car tyres. Mr De Roo was right in demonstrating that the regulation proposed by the Commission will not sufficiently improve matters, and that it is technically possible to reduce pollution by a few decibels. This simply requires the political will to put sufficient regulations in place, to monitor compliance with the regulations and not to allow too much leeway. The Group of the European United Left has constantly backed Mr De Roo in this. We regret that his reasonable and self-evident proposals cannot count on the general approval they deserve."@en1
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