BRITAIN must use the UK presidency of the European Union to take a lead on road safety and environmental measures, according to the RAC. As the UK Government takes over the presidency of the European Union, the RAC has presented ministers and MEPs with an 'Agenda for Europe'.

Top of the demands - which will act as an RAC checklist for ministerial progress on key environmental and safety legislation - is the extension of the European New Car Assessment crash test programme to include more European Union member countries.

As Fleet News has reported in 1997, despite initial criticism from motor manufacturers to the NCAP tests, Toyota, Volvo and Land Rover are using the results in their marketing. The RAC's 'Agenda for Europe' also urges the UK presidency to complete 'crucial existing legislation' including: