Colombia: Impact assessment on the technical regulation on braking systems for motorcycles

 

Colombia has published a document outlining an impact assessment of potential changes to the technical regulation on braking systems for motorcycles

In order to maintain transparency and allow for early comments from interested parties, including trading partners, in accordance with the good regulatory practices set out in Decree No. 1074 of 2015, the National Road Safety Agency (ANSV) has made available to the public for comments the Simple Regulatory Impact Analysis on proposed adjustments to the technical regulation on braking systems for motorcycles. The Simple Regulatory Impact Analysis reviews the recommendations of the 2022 analysis that underpinned Resolution No. 20223040062115, and assesses regulatory improvement alternatives aimed at facilitating the proper implementation of the current measure.

This document does not constitute a draft technical regulation or an international notification, but rather a preliminary analytical tool intended to solicit input to guide regulatory decision-making.

In Colombia, motorcyclists represent a significant portion of road traffic fatalities. Over the past 10 years, the number of motorcyclist deaths, relative to total road traffic fatalities, has steadily increased from 47% in 2015 to 62% in 2024. As of July 2024, 56% of motorcyclist fatalities (1,561) resulted from collisions with fixed objects, other motorcyclists, falls, or motorcycle rollovers. These cases represent one-third (34%) of all road traffic fatalities nationwide (ONSV, 2024). Furthermore, an examination of motorcycle collision matrices for the period 2015-2024 reveals that the highest number of fatalities corresponds to collisions with fixed objects, averaging 20% ​​of all recorded collisions. These figures suggest, with regard to the vehicle component of the safe system approach within which Decree 1430 of 2022, the National Road Safety Plan -PNSV 2022-2031, is framed, the definition of technical safety requirements for motorcycle braking systems incorporating the safe performance of the braking system and the incorporation of ABS and CBS braking systems, anti-lock braking systems and combined braking systems, respectively.

For this reason, in 2022, the National Road Safety Agency prepared the “Regulatory Impact Analysis for the Technical Regulation applicable to Braking Systems in Motorcycles.” This study, after evaluating the technical, regulatory, accident, and market situations of these vehicles in the country against international road safety standards, concluded that, given the problem identified regarding “the existence of braking systems and components in motorcycles that do not contribute to their proper operation,” the most favorable solution was: “Adoption of UNECE ONU R 78 and R90 and FMVSS-122 regulations, and the implementation of information and awareness campaigns.” This suggestion was accepted and approved by the Ministry of Transportation, as the regulatory body, leading to the issuance of Resolution 20223040062115 of October 13, 2022.

The resolution stipulated that the technical requirements would be met by October 2025. However, during this transition period, some stakeholders requested adjustments to the resolution that hindered its implementation. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances led to the preparation of this document, the purpose of which is to make the necessary adjustments to facilitate the implementation of this technical regulation.

In accordance with the above, the permanence and/or possible modifications required of each of the aspects contemplated in the Complete AIN will be evaluated below, based on the provisions of Decree 1468 of 2020 “By which Sections 2, 5 and 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 1 of Part 2 of Book 2 of Decree 1074 of 2015, Single Regulatory Decree of the Trade, Industry and Tourism Sector, are partially modified, in relation to the application of the regulatory impact analysis in technical regulations” and the Methodological Guide for the Preparation of Regulatory Impact Analysis of the National Planning Department.

To find out more about vehicle and motorcycle regulations in Colombia, please do not hesitate to contact the Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research.