A DECISION to ban bull bars from the fronts of new cars has been welcomed by a Bolton Euro MP who has been campaigning on the issue for more than five years.
Chris Davies, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman in the European Parliament, says the EU ban will help to save lives and reduce injuries in Bolton.
"Bull bars are nothing more than a fashion accessory for drivers of oversize vehicles," he said.
Following years of pressure from road safety groups to introduce safer car fronts, an agreement to outlaw bull bars was reached by the European Commission and the car industry in the summer.
The agreement has now been approved and extended by EU transport ministers.
According to the European Transport Safety Council, more than 9,000 pedestrians and cyclists die every year on EU roads. Most casualties are hit by the fronts of cars in urban or residential areas.
The ban will come into force next year and will apply to vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
Mr Davies said: "This is excellent news for pedestrians and cyclists in Bolton.
"In the vast majority of cases these bull bars serve no purpose whatsoever apart from increasing the risk to cyclists and people crossing the road."
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