Contribution of FIVA to the European Commission’s Road Safety Charter
Published and distributed in Italy by

Associazione Amatori Veicoli Storici A.A.V.S.

aavs.mail@tiscali.it www.aavs.it

The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA – www.fiva.org) is an international body representing the global historic vehicle movement through national federations. The Associazione Amatori Veicoli Storici A.A.V.S. has been a FIVA member since 2000. FIVA holds a special position in Europe, where it maintains close ties with legislators to ensure that measures taken in the general interest do not unduly penalize the freedom of historic vehicles to circulate on roads.

Traffic conditions throughout Europe have substantially changed in the last quarter-century, and historic vehicle drivers must adapt their behavior to current conditions, especially as the vehicles they drive get older. At the same time, these vehicles often attract attention wherever they go: therefore, their drivers have an obligation to set a good example of courteous, respectful, and safe driving.

In 2005, FIVA signed the European Commission’s Road Safety Charter. This Charter is part of the European Commission’s program to reduce road accident fatalities by 50% by 2010. Most Charter signatories are adopting measures that will directly contribute to reducing both the number and severity of accidents. For FIVA, both these objectives are difficult to achieve because accidents involving historic vehicles are extremely rare. Therefore, FIVA’s contribution is to do everything possible to maintain the current high level of road safety demonstrated by historic vehicle owners. More information on the Road Safety Charter can be found at: https://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/roadsafety/charter_it.htm

This guide aims to contribute to this goal by encouraging drivers to continue safe and responsible driving and by drawing the attention of novice historic vehicle drivers to the driving techniques and behaviors they must assimilate and follow.

The freedom to use historic vehicles on roads is the main objective of the historic vehicle movement. FIVA’s mission is to preserve this freedom, which would become very problematic if accident statistics involving historic vehicles were not as positive as they are today. FIVA therefore trusts that all historic vehicle enthusiasts are aware of their duties in this area.

“Historic vehicle movement” is a generic term referring to the collective of people and structures involved with road transport vehicles over 25 years old.

Summary

To drive a historic vehicle safely, it is necessary to:

Ensure the vehicle is properly maintained; (chapter 1)
Know the vehicle and its limits; (chapter 2)
See, be seen, and signal your intentions; (chapter 3)
Drive with respect and understanding for other road users; (chapter 4)
Be aware that road events can cause problems for other road users and act accordingly; (chapter 5)

1. Vehicle Maintenance

Twenty-five years ago, maintenance was required at much more frequent intervals than for modern vehicles. Fifty years ago, it was even more demanding.

Two parameters have always been referred to for periodic maintenance: elapsed time and distance traveled.