LETTER:Seatbelts make a useful Euromyth
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Mark Rison
Sir: A small paragraph on yesterday's front page of the Independent states that regulations about seatbelts in coaches and buses "will only apply to vehicles carrying children as otherwise they would conflict with EU rules which do not specify the need for belts''.
Let me simply quote from http://www.cec.lu/en/comm/dg10/em/m10.html:
Statement: Britain is powerless to introduce and enforce legislation on the compulsory fitting of seatbelts on coaches and buses in the UK without the backing of the European Commission and the agreement of all other EC countries.
Response: No. The Commission has long backed the introduction of laws making this compulsory throughout the EC. Nevertheless, it is true that there has been little movement on this for some years now as the majority of EC countries have opposed it, chiefly on the grounds of the costs involved. The UK government, therefore, would not be able to insist on coaches registered in other EC member states having to have seatbelts. However, the UK government is free to enforce the introduction of seat belts on all coaches and buses registered in the UK if it wants to do so.
I recommend reading the Europa WWW server on http:/ /www.cec.lu/ - if only for its section on "Euromyths'', which your correspondents would be wise to consult before they parrot the obfuscatory anti-EU government line.
Yours faithfully,
MARK RISON
Cambridge
17 March
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments