In 2014, nearly 25,700 people (500 a week, on average) were killed in the European Union as a consequence of road collisions. Road deaths fell by a negligible 1% in the EU last year. The drastic slowdown in progress puts at risk the region’s target of halving road deaths by 2020. As well as the unbearable human cost, road casualties cost 2% of European GDP. In this briefing, ETSC outlines its recommendations on the key EU road safety policy dossiers to be steered by the Luxembourg Presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2015. These include preparing for the new EU roads package including the safety aspects. ETSC strongly welcomes the Luxembourg initiative to put soft forms of transport, including walking and cycling, centre stage on their Presidency agenda. Safety must be an integral part of increasing take up of these healthier forms of transport. The upcoming revision of vehicle safety legislation has the potential to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The briefing also examines the upcoming policy initiatives from the European Commission including progress towards the 2020 target and reviewing the Road Safety Policy Orientations 2011 -2020, with recommendations for maximising the results of road safety work. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting