Traffic lights are bad enough - they make us stop when we could go, they take our eyes off the road, flouting the most fundamental safety principle but they are only the symptom of a dysfunctional system.

BBC: Viewpoint: Is it time to get rid of traffic lights?

Finally, throughout the rule-making process, safety has remained our guiding principle, and it will continue to be our number one priority.

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Labour MEP Stephen Hughes, a member of the committee and spokesman for the European Parliament's Socialist group, told the BBC earlier it was "wrong in principle" to opt-out of what he described as a "health and safety law".

BBC: MEPs target working week opt-out

And of course, the principle at stake at the U.N. was really important, and that is the safety and security of diplomats around the world, and countries meeting what is an absolutely fundamental diplomatic obligation -- and that is to respect the privileges and immunities and safety of the diplomats around the world from civilized countries.

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