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Monti: Reboot Europe through the Single Market

Europe’s single market was never completed and key sectors including transport are hampered by national barriers, warns EU elder statesman Mario Monti. In an exclusive interview with the European Transport Forum, Monti – a former EU Commissioner - urges policymakers to refocus...

Why Europe needs smarter transport and logistics

By making ambitious plans for a Single European Transport Area dominated by modal shift scenarios the European Union risks losing sight of its real needs. The European debate on transport rightly takes account of issues like congestion and the environment, and listens to the view...

Participate in the ETF Transport Jam

Gathering the Best Visions on the Future of European Transport Are you a transport expert with great ideas related to the Single European Market? This is your chance to share them with the leaders of Europe! From October 3-30th*, 2011, we are inviting you to contribute with your proposals in...

EU to trucks: "pay for your pollution!"

A European Parliament vote has paved the way for the controversial upgraded ‘Eurovignette’ law that charges trucks for their fumes and noise, on top of tolls that can currently be levied. Lawmakers have hailed the plan as groundbreaking because it introduces the polluter-pays principle...

Can reforms overhaul Europe’s rail market?

Now that European Union governments have backed new laws to open up Europe's railways to competition, will the measures achieve their aim of creating a single market for rail networks and ensuring a better service for consumers? Photo: Siim Kallas: "no other mode of transportation has s...

Poll: petrol-free economy

Will the EU meet its target of a petrol-free economy by 2050?

	Yes
	yes, mainly with electric vehicles
	yes, mainly with hybrid vehicles
	yes, mainly with biofuels
	yes, mainly with hydrogen
	yes, with a mix of alternatives
	No

Poll: Eurovignette

Do you consider a single Eurovignette desirable?

	Yes
	No

Poll: RSA

Should the EU create a "Road Safety Agency"

	Yes - because all other transport modes have theirs
	Yes - to coordinate better
	No - it is too costly
	No - there is no need for further coordination

Poll: Road Safety Targets

Will the EU meet its Road Safety target to reduce casualties by 50% in 2020

	Yes
	No
	Maybe

Poll: Drinking & Driving Legal Limit in EU

What should the legal limit be for drinking and driving in Europe (mg/ml)

	Zero
	0.2
	0.3
	0.5

Connect with ETF Community

Road deaths, the tip of the iceberg

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 19:53

Antonio Avenoso

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC)

"To improve the level of road safety within the European Union, a renewed effort is necessary. The latest figures tell us that the European Union will most likely not reach its target by 2010. This is why it is so important to thoroughly work on the next Road Safety Action Programme.

ETSC has already published its so-called blueprint for the European Road Safety Action Programme in which we propose a new vision, new target and new strategy!

In terms of targets, ETSC proposes a new 40% reduction target between 2011 and 2020 however we would also like the 4th Road Safety Action Programme to concentrate on the problem of severe injuries. Road deaths are only the tip of the iceberg! Many Europeans suffer from disabling and long-term injuries as a consequence of road accidents. Here, we would like to see a common reduction target between the member states of the number of severe injuries.

In terms of strategy, the forthcoming Road Safety Action Programme should look at the main causes of road deaths linked to driver behavior. Here we would like to look at speeding, drink driving, the non-use of seatbelts and child restraint systems. But let’s not forget about poorly designed infrastructure and vehicle improvement.

Moreover, it should not neglect important and emerging trends such as the demographic challenge of an aging society as well as the increasing number of two-wheelers.

Forward thinking and planning are very important. The 4th Road Safety Action Programme would cover the period between 2011 and 2020 so there is very little time left to get this ready by January 2011. Let’s act now!"