Blutalkohol 2005 - BADS (Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im ...

Seiten 151–155
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Kommt EU-Führerschein? – Verkehrsausschuß des
Europäischen Parlaments für Neuregelung
Der Verkehrsausschuss des Europäischen Parlaments sprach sich am 19. Januar 2005
mehrheitlich für die langfristige Einführung eines einheitlichen EU-Führerscheins aus.
Zu den Details:
The Transport Committee wants to bid farewell to the paper driving licence format
still in use in some Member States. Within ten years, say MEPs, these licences should be
replaced by a “credit card” model. And within 20 years a single EU driving licence format
should be introduced. The committee also wants to see the introduction of a European
driving licence information network to combat fraud and “driving licence tourism”.
The highly sensitive issue of driving licences in the EU came before the Transport
Committee when it voted an a report by MATTHIEU GROSCH (EPP-ED, B) on an European
Commission proposal to replace the existing 110 models of driving licence in the
25 Member States by a single EU format. The main benefits would be less fraud, easier
movement for drivers and greater safety on the roads.
In their amendments to the Commission text, MEPs sought to strike a balance between
bringing in the new licence quickly, and indeed improving it, and taking account of the
different national traditions on issuing driving licences, such as age restrictions. The report
was adopted with 38 votes in favour, 5 against and with 6 abstentions.
The Commission was proposing no deadlines for the introduction of the licence. But
MEPs want Member States to have 10 years from the date on which the directive takes
effect to replace all paper licences by plastic card licences. And they say that a standard
EU model of licence should be compulsory within a further 10 years. In addition, MEPs
say that Member States should be allowed to introduce a microchip if they wish, as a
further anti-fraud measure. However, the Transport Committee stresses that this replacement
of old driving licences must not result in the loss or restriction of an individual's
existing right to drive.
The mechanics for issuing driving licences differ in the Member States, being handled
centrally in some and regionally in others. To combat fraud, the committee wants there
to be a single focal point for access to driving licence information in each state – in effect
a “driving licence network”. EU states could then refuse to issue a licence to an applicant
who has had his licence restricted, suspended or withdrawn in another EU country.
The Commission had proposed that ordinary licences issued to drivers who are 65 or
more should be valid for only 5 years. But MEPs argued that a blanket restriction for the
over-65s was not justified. On the sensitive issue of medical checks, they decided simply
that Member States should have the option of limiting the period of validity of driving
licences in individual cases, such as certain diseases. And insulindependent drivers, for
example, should have medical authorisation.
(Aus einer Pressemitteilung des Europäischen Parlaments vom 19. Januar 2005)
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BLUTALKOHOL VOL. 42/2005