The call for a long delay was led by France and Sweden and was adopted despite opposition from other countries like the UK, Germany and Denmark.

Under the Commission’s original proposal, the maximum allowed length of lorry cabs would be extended, enabling lorry makers to introduce life-saving designs straight away if they choose to, without being forced to do so. The European Parliament voted to allow the safer designs immediately.  

William Todts, senior policy officer at Transport & Environment, said: ‘Calling for a delay to an enabling law, which would make Europe’s lorries safer and cleaner, is absurd because it prevents those who are ready to do the right thing. The French, Swedish and any other governments supporting this delay are putting the interests of their manufacturers’ above the well-being of pedestrians and cyclists whose lives could be saved.’

The agreement will now be presented to European ministers for their approval at the Transport Council on 5th June.

‘Europe’s transport ministers must reject any delay of safer, cleaner lorries. It is unthinkable that they could put their signatures to a document which will effectively mean more preventable deaths on Europe’s roads, higher fuel bills and more climate changing emissions,’ Mr Todts concluded.