La press-release http://www.ufwda.org/press/pr20051011.htm
PRESS RELEASE
October 11, 2005
Contact: John Stewart
Director of Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations
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4x4 VEHICLES TARGETED BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT
The French 4x4 Federation has reported the French government is
considering adopting a rule that would prohibit 4x4 vehicles from
cities in France as well as limitations restricting 4x4 travel to
routes or paths that can accommodate a standard two wheel drive
vehicle.
As a gesture of opposition, a majority of French and some German 4x4
related web sites will close on October 24-25. A recap (in French)
of the on going actions is available here :
http://www.forum4x4.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36724
Four wheel drive vehicles have become a symbol to target. While
French officials would like to ban 4x4s from cities, they are faced
with the question of how to identify a 4x4.
The proposed policy is to make any travel unlawful unless the route can be traveled by a two wheel drive vehicle.
The effort is clearly to create a situation
where 4x4 vehicles will only be allowed on paved routes or specific
private areas outside of cities.
The expectation is 4x4 vehicle owners would consequently give up, given the nonsense of owning vehicles with severe operating restrictions.
Loss of ability to travel routes beyond the capability of a two wheel
drive vehicle is likely to affect tourism and commerce built up
around the use of 4x4 vehicles, with significant economic impacts.
From an economical standpoint, 4x4 products represent a large number
of jobs in tourism. The French authorities believe that restricting
4x4's will not affect their auto manufacturers, as the three major
French auto makers do not produce 4x4 vehicles. The French 4x4
market is supported by British, German, United States, and Japan
manufactures.
There are increasing levels of restriction on 4x4 use in many
countries with the likely introduction of a permit system in both
South Africa and New Zealand in the near future. The South African
scheme will probably involve public land and some private lands but
in New Zealand, it will only cover public land. Roads in New Zealand
have a right of passage that is set in law so it is difficult to ban
vehicle types, although not impossible.
The regulation of 4x4s on roads or in cities is difficult as many
"cars" are 4x4 today.
--
John Stewart
Director, Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations, http://www.ufwda.org
Natural Resource Consultant
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