1. the European Union policy
Global Meeting of NGOs
Advocating for Road Safety
Brussels, 7 May 2009
Road Safety:
the European Union policy
Maria Cristina Marolda
European Commission
Directorate General Energy & Transport
Road Safety Unit

2. The EU road safety policy
White Paper on Transport (2001)
European Road Safety Action Programme ( )
Halving the number of victims by 2010
A shared responsibility
An integrated approach

3. The 50% objective A political & global commitment
Individual responsibility of Member States
Each Member State should strive to perform at least as well as the best-performing ones

4. A shared responsibility
Action by ALL stakeholders is needed
Public Authorities: EU + Central Governments + Local Authorities…
Private Companies: Car industry + Transport companies + Road operators
Users: everybody !
The EU acts wherever it provides an added value
Only a quick word on this topic since the afternoon is dedicated to the European Road Safety Charter

5. An integrated approach
Vehicle
Driver
Infrastructure
Vehicle safety
Passive and active safety
Technical inspection
Road Infrastructure safety
User behaviour
Enforcement Driving licences
Education Campaigns

6. The EU instruments Road accident data and information
Financial support to research and studies
Best practice guidelines
Legislation (only when necessary)

7. The European Road Safety Charter
Extension of the “shared responsibility” concept to civil society
Over 1200 signatories so far
Signatories commit themselves to concrete and measurable actions
Commission creates awareness and makes commitments public
Logo
Awards
Presentations
Reports and newsletters

8. European Road Safety Days
1st
Coordination with the 1st global road safety week (UN)
Focus on Young drivers
Brussels
2nd European Road Safety Day:
Paris, 13 Oct. 2008
Focus on safety in urban transport
3rd European Road Safety Day: … 2010

9. Some EU-wide Road Safety Campaigns
(Red Cross)
European Night without Accident
Level Crossings
Helmet wearing

10. Setting up Policy Priorities
Detailed data on crashes, fatalities and casualties
Monitoring the progress of casualty reduction actions
Identifying overall efficiency of safety countermeasures
Reference data
This gives us the big picture but we need to know why

11. Setting up Policy Priorities
Effectiveness of existing regulations
Technical development
Assessment of non-regulatory activities (e.g. Euro-NCAP)
Support for Industry – new products and technologies
New needs in regulation
Vehicle Safety
© EuroNCAP

12. Infrastructure Safety
Setting up Policy Priorities
Infrastructure Safety
Highway design requirements
System interactions (e.g. vehicle/barrier)
Extension of requirements to secondary roads (subsidiarity)

13. Setting up Policy Priorities
Road Users Behaviour
New priorities in accident prevention
Understanding driver decision making (naturalistic driving)
Effectiveness of enforcement measures

14. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
Use of information and communication
technologies in transport, e.g. phones, satellites, computer, sensors
reduction of congestion by 5-15%
5-15% less fatalities and 5-10% less injuries electronic stability control (ESC), lane keeping support, speed alert, emergency call (eCall)
possible savings of 10-20% CO2 emissions | 14

15. ITS for Road Safety and Security
Promotion of in-vehicle safety systems
Introduction of Europe-wide eCall
Regulatory framework on safe human-machine interactions including nomadic devices
Best-practice guidelines: impact of ITS on vulnerable road users
Best-practice guidelines: secure parking places for trucks | 15

16. Challenges to be addresses in the next Road Safety Action Programme
Demographic change
Young drivers
Vulnerable users
Systemic approach (3 components)
Response to technological development (including ITS) | 16

17. The next EU Road Safety Action Programme
Consultation open to all stakeholders:
(June-October 2009)
YOU identify needs and priorities
EC translates them into a political action plan | 17

18. Thank you for your attention!