SIDEGUARDS IN EUROPE
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ONLY two other European countries make sideguards a compulsory fitment for home registered vehicles — France and the Netherlands. Unfortunately, their regulations differ from those in the UK. France for example, demands tubular guard rails instead of the UK's flat rails.
The Dutch allow a single, tubular guard hut prefer the gap behind the rear wheels to be guarded too.
In comparison, the UK standard is more stringent. The Netherlands is willing to amend its own legislation and so the UK and the Netherlands are jointly drawing up a common standard which will be very close to the UK's existing One. There is a good chance that this will become an ECE regulat later this year.
From there it is likely to become al EEC directive so that British-style sideguards would be mandatory throughout the Common Market.
These developments are likely to happen more speedily than usual. Th EEC Road Safety Year and so there i added incentive to get the legislation completed before the year is out.