US cars 'must be left out of post-Brexit trade deal' - British safety

BBC ^ | 18 July 2020 | beeb

[Cronos]

Safety experts are urging the UK government to exclude American cars from any post-Brexit trade deal.

They say imported vehicles should meet British safety standards for accidents with pedestrians, cyclists and children.

UK PM Boris Johnson has indicated he expects cars to be included in any new transatlantic trade agreement.

But safety campaigners point to a spike of pedestrian injuries and deaths in US road accidents.

The increase is associated with a boom in large SUVs, which have been engineered to protect passengers but not pedestrians

In the UK and Europe, cars are designed to minimise harm to people on foot or on bikes if they are hit by a vehicle. SUVs sold in the UK must meet the standards.

The Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Transport Safety has written to Trade Secretary Liz Truss, saying: “We note that in negotiations covering food safety the USA has argued against accepting higher UK standards. It has sought to characterise these as protectionism.

“We are concerned that pressure for lower safety standards will be applied in negotiations regarding the automotive sector.

...

Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents US carmakers, said cars made there were just as safe as European vehicles.

He told BBC News: "Cars, SUVs and other light trucks that meet US safety standards achieve equivalent safety performance to the safety standards applied in the European Union.

[Cronos]

This is just another attempt to protect British industry from American economies of scale - the safety measures in American cars meet the British standards already.

This just shows how many little details will delay a UK-US trade deal. I don't expect to see such a deal before 2022.

[CurlyDave]

...In the UK and Europe, cars are designed to minimise harm to people on foot or on bikes if they are hit by a vehicle...

Is the outside covered in pillows?

[Pox]

The whole point of our “relationship” at this time revolves around pulling them back from the brink of marxism.

Of course, we still need to avoid that fatal pitfall as well.

[digger48]

What car, of any size or make, is designed to protect pedestrians?

[BobL]

They drive on the wrong side of the road to begin with...and yet they have the nerve to say that WE are worse drivers.

[freedumb2003]

What, bubble wrap them?

Feankly we have more roads shardd by pedestrians and cars and pedestrians are looming at their stupid phones and causing accidents.

[Secret Agent Man]

the uk hardly has any native auto production in any large quantities.

mini-coopers are notmdesired by everyone and rolls royce makes few and few can afford. other than that all their other historic brands have been sold off to tata or ford. they get almpst of their cars from other countries.

[HighSierra5]

I’m still waiting for flying cars.

[AlmaKing]

Safety has become an excuse to deny anything.

[ConservativeInPA]

Do the Brits still make automobiles? Seriously, I'm not up to date. My impression is that all British brands are either foreign owned or barely getting by.

Personally I really don't care. Marxists unions ruined Detroit. I rather see them fail and learn lesson than be propped up by a trade deal. Perhaps from those ashes a competitive auto manufacturer or two could emerge where unions do not exist.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

I would tell them to forget the trade deal. Screw ‘em.

[Paladin2]

Why did they used to put “cow catchers” on the front of locomotives?

[Paladin2]

"I’m still waiting for flying cars. "

Me too.

What was the promised altitude limit for those?

[Paladin2]

Well, the “mostly peaceful” “protestors” out on the freeways need to be protected...

[Paladin2]

There is no shortage of US vehicles built without a Right Hand Drive version.

I don’t see the issue here.

[Ex gun maker.]

Flying cars are available right now if you have enough folding money to pay for them.
A web search will reveal several.

[VanShuyten]

Actually, a left hand drive car in Britain would be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists since the driver would be seated closer to the curb and sidewalks and thus be more likely to see anyone who strays into the street.

[JParris]

....This just shows how many little details will delay a UK-US trade deal....

There is no need to delay any trade deal if both leaders, Boris and PDJT, wish it to proceed qwikly.

However, both leaders are saddled with saboteurs in party as well as government that wish nothing more than failure at all cost. These saboteurs are the persons that will attempt debate of infinite details prolonging the discussions at expense economically and politically of both leaders.

[Paladin2]

I don't know what is currently available, but there were some before this one.

[yesthatjallen]

So they don't want our cars.

Do we still supply them with Spam?