Several European organizations are calling for a ban on the import of large American pickup trucks into the EU.
Brought In Through Loophole
This move comes as these vehicles are increasingly being brought into Europe through a loophole in the vehicle type approval process, raising alarms about their impact on safety and environmental standards, according to Stern.
The European Cyclists' Federation (ECF), the International Pedestrians' Federation, and the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) are among the seven groups urging the EU to close this loophole.
They highlight that the number of large pickup trucks entering the EU under the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme has surged from 2,900 in 2019 to 6,800 in 2022. This increase, first reported by Politico, bypasses EU safety and environmental regulations.
Do Not Meet EU Standards
The IVA process allows vehicles that do not meet EU standards to be imported if they are classified as off-road vehicles. According to the groups, this process not only undermines environmental standards but also compromises safety.
The trucks, with front profiles higher than a ten-year-old child, significantly impair drivers’ visibility, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
Research underscores these concerns. A Belgian study by the Vias Institute shows that while pickup truck occupants are less likely to be seriously injured in an accident, other road users face a much higher risk.
Specifically, the risk of severe injury for pedestrians hit by a pickup truck increases by 90%, and the risk of fatal injury rises by nearly 200%.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US also reports that larger vehicles like SUVs and pickups are involved in more pedestrian collisions, suggesting poor visibility due to vehicle design.
