MPs welcome the ban on metal bull bars and urge the use of life saving, non rigid Frontal Protection Systems

MP Paul Flynn who has recently submitted an Early Day Motion (EDM) for debate in the House of Commons has seen growing all party support from 36 MPs, all welcoming the ban on metal bull bars and urging the use of non rigid Frontal Protection Systems (FPS).

 

“That this House warmly welcomes the ban on the manufacture and sale of bull bars from 25th May 2007, punishable by a maximum fine of £20,000 or 12 months' imprisonment; recalls with sorrow the loss of lives and the serious injuries inflicted by bull bars; urges the use of improved non-rigid frontal protection systems; and hopes that manufacturers will never again sacrifice pedestrian safety to the demands of macho fashion” EDM 1696, BAN ON BULL BARS, Paul Flynn.

 

From 25th May 2007, all FPSs, including bull bars and nudge bars must pass stringent pedestrian protection tests at an accredited testing facility (such as MIRA) and be granted type approval. This will outlaw wrap around metal bull bars and metal A Frames, as such products cannot achieve the requirement of an 18 per cent risk of injury ( a 1000 hic defines an 18 % risk of injury to the head) to the pedestrian.

 

Recent testing of an alternative non-rigid FPS, made from composite energy absorbing materials, suggests that the widespread use of such products would contribute to the target of the European Commission - to reduce road traffic fatalities in the EU by 50% in 2010 compared to 2000. The revolutionary product and associated technologies is known as Endura and EFAST (Endura Fast Acting Technology Systems). The Endura FPS (www.endura-fps.com) is the aftermarket bull bar replacement, which reduces vehicle damage when involved in collisions with tree branches and brush and also when travelling through water at high speeds.

 

“New impact absorbing frontal protection systems will substantially reduce the damage and injury to pedestrians when unfortunately involved in front end collisions with large vehicles such as 4x4s. Congratulations to the manufactures such as Concept Mouldings who have put safety first. There must be no return to rigid bully bars fashion accessories that concentrated and multiplied the forces of collision at the level of a child's vital organs” said Paul Flynn, Labour MP.

 

Automotive manufacturer and safety specialist Concept Mouldings (www.conceptmouldings.co.uk) has produced the Endura FPS which not only meets the European Legislation for pedestrian protection, but has been proven to make large vehicles such as 4x4s, SUVs and LCVs up to 50 times safer for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.  A vehicle fitted with an Endura FPS reduces the risk of head injury from over 98 per cent in the worst case down to less than 2 per cent. The risk of injury to the pelvic and abdomen, upper leg and lower leg is also substantially reduced.

 

“Driver error is the main cause of death and injury on our roads, so if impact on vulnerable pedestrians or cyclists can be reduced then this has got to be welcomed" said Bob Russell, Co-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Road Safety Group and Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester.

 

According to the British Medical Journal, (Crandall, JR, Bhalla, K, and Madeley, NJ. 11th May, 2002) 99 per cent of all serious and fatal injuries are caused from injury to the head and abdomen (including pelvis) regions. The Endura range of products have been specifically manufactured and focused upon these areas of the body to ensure maximum protection for the vulnerable road user. All EC approved test data and video footage can be viewed at www.frontalprotectionsystems.eu.

 

Concept Mouldings also anticipates the thinking behind vehicle safety legislation (that will require vehicles to be safer for pedestrians) that is not due to be put in place until 2010 - 2012 by improving the performance of vehicles in respect to a child's head impact and adult injuries in the pelvic and abdomen area.

 

In line with air bag manufacturers, Concept Mouldings own world patents and patents pending for varying geometry upon vehicles with air bag deployment. Such technology will further enhance pedestrian safety in the unfortunate event of a vehicle coming into contact with a vulnerable road user by covering the rigid bonnet with a cushioned surface.  This revolutionary technology still gives the vehicle designer the freedom of vehicle style, whilst the air bag is always deploying away from the pedestrian. Such innovative technology minimises bumper under and override, thus reducing vehicle damage whilst offering the maximum benefit to pedestrian safety.

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