Political and legal developments in the EU over the last few years are creating new opportunities for international action on road safety, and as a result a common road safety policy is slowly emerging. This paper outlines these developments against the background of the road casualty problem in the EU and discusses how they are shaping the role of the EU in road safety. It discusses steps taken so far to adopt a common approach and presents the view of the European Transport Safety Council that the time is now right for the development of a strategic road safety plan for the EU. This would provide a comprehensive framework for common, mutually beneficial and research based action across a broad range. A rationale for a strategic approach is presented as well as a report on work in progress on a targeted EU road safety plan. This activity represents one of the actions in a new two year programme which ETSC has just started with matched finance from the Commission's Transport Directorate.
Samenvatting