EU Road Safety Roundtable

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc opened the meeting stating the urgent need to push harder for safe roads. 25.000 deaths yearly are unacceptable. The EU commits to reducing deaths and for the first time serious injuries by 50% by 2030. The vision for 2015 is zero.

Several cities across Europe participated in the roundtable, all with a positive commitment towards zero deaths on the roads.

Eurocare reminded the audience of the need to tackle risk factors like alcohol. Around one accident of four are linked to alcohol consumption. Drink driving remains the second biggest killer on EU roads. The principle of zero tolerance for drink driving should inform policy – with adequate enforcement using random checks and breath testing.

European Commission launches EU urban road safety award.

The EU Urban Road Safety Award was launched today by the European Commission. It is created to highlight the contribution made by local authorities towards improving the safety of European roads.

73% of Europeans (Eurobarometer) think that the road is not safe. 9.500 people lost their lives and 100.000 people had serious injuries on urban roads in EU21 in 2017 (ETSC).

The award is to rewards outstanding and innovative achievements by local authorities in the area of road safety and encourages the exchange of good practice across Europe. Local authorities will be awarded for adopting holistic measures to improve road safety, within the spirit of the internationally recognised “Safe System” concept. The EU Urban Road Safety Award will be presented in spring 2020 together with the EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK and SUMP awards and honours local authorities that have implemented innovative long-term safety improvements.

Applications will be accepted from European local authorities that have legal competence in developing and implementing road safety measures on their territory. For more information about the award, the entrance criteria, and how to apply before the 16 December deadline http://www.mobilityweek.eu/news/?c=search&uid=q0kWlyML