hi viz area works out at 4 x swan vesta packets
half a sheet of A4 paper in total spread tween front/back and sleeves
slight twist on that now.
In an interesting twist, the EU Commission seem to have re-opened the
hi-viz debate.
On 19th July, in response to a question about hi-viz in France, which
was put to the EU Commission by British MEP Roger Helmer, Siim Kallas
(Commission Vice President) answered on behalf of the Commission
outlining the current EU harmonised standards on PPE (personal
protective equipment).
He explained that Directive 89/686/EEC included minimum hi-viz standards
for personal use (EN1150) and for professional use, like police riders
for example, (EN471), which are higher.
Directives don't carry the same legislative weight as Regulations, but
if something within a Directive is to be applied, it must meet the
minimum standard and the minimum standard in this case is actually
1,000cm2 of hi-viz material, not the 150cm2 the French have ruled.
That's six times more hi-viz!
To quote Mr Kallas
?It thus appears that the French rule is based on a mistaken reference
to the requirements of the relevant harmonised standards. The Commission
will contact the French authorities with a view to correcting this mistake.?
This really leaves the French two options. Either, they shelve the idea
altogether, or riders in France will be wrapped up like Turkeys after
Christmas.
As always, we'll keep you posted on developments
--
Paddy Tyson Campaigns Coordinator Motorcycle Action Group
www.mag-uk.org
01926 844064
