New car safety standards to protect pedestrians and cyclists have been agreed by Europe's governments.
Car makers will have to make the fronts of cars safer to reduce the level of injuries to pedestrians. The rules will apply to all new models of vehicles under 2.5 tonnes - which is virtually all cars and most vans.
Two new crash tests concerning protection against head and leg injuries will be introduced in 2005, with two even tougher tests added in 2010.
Passing the tests will involve changes to car bumper and bonnet designs.
Car manufacturers have accepted the need for more safety measures after years of pressure to concentrate on cutting the car crash dangers to people outside vehicles as well as the occupants. The extra consumer cost of a new car will be only about €30.
About 8,000 pedestrians and cyclists die every year on EU roads and about 300,000 are seriously injured.
Most are hit by the fronts of cars in urban and residential areas and the majority are children and the elderly.
The new crash tests are based on recommendations from the European Enhanced Vehicle Safety Committee after an EU-funded research programme lasting more than 20 years.