Road safety in Europe – new ETSC report

On 22nd June, the European Transport safety Council (ETSC) published its annual Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) – report that compares country road safety performances in 30 countries in Europe.
The report reveals that some 39,000 people were killed in road collisions in 2008 in Europe and that many more were injured (for every death there are an estimated four survivors with brain damage, spinal cord injury or other injuries leading to permanent disability). 2008 has seen a promising decrease in road deaths by 8.5%. This has been the best year-to-year reduction since 2001.

Despite individual countries' progress, the EU as a whole is likely to fail to reach its 2010 Target. “New targets must be set for 2020 which will mobilise action at a joint European level, and more EU instruments, like structural funds for transport, should be used in order to further bring down deaths and disabilities on our roads” said ETSC Executive Director Antonio Avenoso.

For further information, please view:
http://www.etsc.eu/PIN-publications.php

The Spanish experience

Spain has seen a rapid improvement of road safety over the past years. Since 2001, road deaths have gone down by 44% (the fourth best progress among EU countries).Spain has introduced a penalty point system (2006). Its content was widely communicated to Spanish drivers who became more aware of the negative consequences of drink driving, speeding etc. The reform of the Criminal Code in December 2007 made drink driving (BAC above 1.2g/l or 0.6g/l for professional and novice drivers), criminal offences.

The Latvian experience

Road deaths have gone down by 43% since 2001 in Latvia (the fifth best reduction).
One of the most important measures has been the introduction of penalty point system in 2004. Points as well as fines for major traffic offences such as drink driving have been tightened in 2005 and 2006. A driver caught with 1.0 BAC faces an administrative sentence of 10 to 15 days in prison, a fine and 8 penalty points. Driving licence is withdrawn after reaching 16 points (10 for novice drivers). Police checks of major traffic offences have increased, in particular to combat drink driving as 68,000 random breath tests were carried in 2008. Still, the risk perceived by drivers of being caught is too low. The 2007-2013 Plan aims to increase the number of speed checks and random breath tests but fails to give any specific targets.
The government has also been funding three to four big road safety campaigns a year and the mentality on road safety is slowly starting to change in particular amongst young drivers.

Boosting the market for safer cars across the EU

What the EU is doing and could do
To build on the EU's reputation as the home of the safest vehicles now and in the future, the EU has a crucial role to play by raising EU common minimum standards and prioritise proven life-saving technologies. All cars produced in the EU or imported to the EU have first to meet EU common minimum standards laid down by EU type approval regulations. Those regulations cover general safety of vehicles, nameplates, availability of seat belts and head restraints, tyres, pedestrian protection, side and frontal impact protection, Daytime Running Light (DRL) amongst others.

Proposal for a regulation on type-vehicle approval

The European Union is currently negotiating a new regulation on type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles . The proposal is addressing the recommendations of the CARS21 High-Level Group. If adopted, all new cars will have to be equipped with Electronic Stability Control. The proposal also sets a minimum standard on wet grip of tyres and the introduction of tyre pressure monitoring systems. It is also hoped that the proposal will ensure that priority is given to the other technologies and systems that bring about the greatest life saving potential, namely seat belt reminders, alcolocks and speed management systems.

Alcolocks in school buses

In France, all school buses will have to have alcolocks from the start of the new school year in 2009 onwards. This will ensure sober transport of children and is also seen as a first step towards rolling out alcohol interlocks to other target groups.