EUROPEAN OVERVIEW: PRIORITIES FOR EU ROAD SAFETY European Transport Safety Council October 2001

SINCE 1993, ETSC HAS WORKED: to provide impartial advice on transport safety to policymakers across the EU to increase awareness of transport crashes and their effects to identify and promote measures with high safety potential

EU ROAD CRASH INJURY AND RISK STATISTICS

ROAD CRASHES IN THE EU Over 40,000 deaths 9,000 injuries daily 3.5 million casualties Main cause of death for citizens <45

EU DEATH RATES 1998

EU ROAD DEATHS 1999

EU ROAD USER DEATHS 1999

EU DEATHS PER 100 MILLION PERSON KM Motorcycle/moped 16 Foot 7.5 Cycle 6.3 Road (Total) 1.1 Car 0.8 Ferry 0.33 Air (public transport) 0.08 Bus and coach 0.08 Rail 0.04 ETSC 1999

Large public health problem Large differences in risk across EU Huge socio-economic cost: 2% of GDP 160 billion euro Common road safety problems Common action adds value Treaty obligations to fulfill THE NEED FOR EU ACTION

EU-WIDE TARGETS

ETSC STRATEGIC ROAD SAFETY PLAN FOR EU Proposed headline target Identified key problems on basis of reviews Identified research-based priority EU actions in: - Crash prevention - Injury reduction - Post impact care - Proposed increased research and evaluation Proposed increased human and staff resource 1997

EU PROGRAMME WITH TARGETS Focus for the efforts of all involved Demonstrably effective road safety activity Regular monitoring of progress Leading to: Fewer deaths and injuries Better use of public funds

FORECAST: EU DEATH RATE 2010

PARLIAMENT PROPOSAL FOR EU TARGET - 40% no more than 25,000 deaths by 2010

COMMISSION PROPOSAL FOR EU TARGET - 50% no more than 20,000 deaths by 2010

KEY ROAD SAFETY PROBLEMS Excess and inappropriate speed Excess alcohol High young novice driver risk High risk to vulnerable road users Non-use of seat belts and crash helmets Too many untreated crash sites,routes,areas Inadequate conspicuity Insufficient crash protection

IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES - SHORT TERM Potential fatality reduction Includes: Safer car fronts Seat belt reminders-4000 TWMV crash helmet use-1000

TRL Legform to bumper UpperLegform to bonnet leading edge Child Headform to bonnet Adult Headform to bonnet EEVC TESTS x 4

SAFER CAR FRONTS If all cars on road today passed the 4 EEVC tests, the annual EU saving is estimated at: 2,000 lives 18,000 serious injuries

SAFER CAR FRONTS Tests ready since early 1990s Tests used in EuroNCAP since 1996 with poor results Legislation promised by previous and current Commission and urged by Council and Parliament

SAFER CAR FRONTS Two phase industry voluntary agreement proposal with long lead times: no definite commitment to EEVC fewer and weaker tests to be passed worse leg injuries than at present 50% less protection compared with EEVC

MORE SAVINGS FROM AGREEMENT? Agreement has long lead times and no definite EEVC Agreement wont give earlier savings in all body areas but will give worse leg injuries Far less savings over a much longer period

MEETS 70% OF EEVC TESTS NOW

PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE EU road safety guideline series e.g. Urban safety management Speed reduction Low cost measures Safety audit

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT Requiring best practice activity e.g. safety audit on all EU-funded infrastructure Further support for Euro NCAP Support for EU road safety databases and information system

RESEARCH Safety-related ITS eg. ISA In-depth accident and injury research EU methodology for safety impact assessment Post impact care countermeasures

CONCLUSION An EU target is needed to focus effort The -50% target implies a better level of safety than achieved anywhere in EU so far Challenging EU targets will require action on an unprecedented scale To be effective, research-based actions need to offer a high level of safety