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

57.4

38.3 37.9

17.8 16.4 15.5 15 13.9 13.6 12.4 11.2 9.2 8 7.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

GR E P B F LUX I IRL A D DK NL S UK

EU DEATH RATES 1998

EU ROAD DEATHS 1999

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

F D

I (19

98) E

UK

EU

Ave

rag

e GR P B

NL A S

DK

FIN

IRL

LU

X

EU ROAD USER DEATHS 1999

Car occupants

Two wheeledmotor vehicles

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Others

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

0

10

20

30

40

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

fata

lities

per

billio

n ve

h-km

fatality rate model ETSC forecast

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Fata

litie

s pe

r ye

ar

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

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Fata

litie

s pe

r ye

ar

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

KEY ROAD SAFETY PROBLEMS

Excess and inappropriate speed Excess alcoholHigh young novice driver riskHigh risk to vulnerable road usersNon-use of seat belts and crash helmetsToo many untreated crash sites,routes,areasInadequate conspicuity Insufficient crash protection

IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES - SHORT TERM

Potential fatality reduction

Includes:

Safer car fronts -2000Seat belt reminders -4000TWMV crash helmet use -1000

TRL 27714

Legformto bumper

Upper Legformto bonnet

leading edge

Child Headformto bonnet

Adult Headformto 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 EEVCfewer 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 won’t 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. ISAIn-depth accident and injury researchEU methodology for safety impact assessment Post impact care countermeasures

•

CONCLUSION

An EU target is needed to focus effortThe -50% target implies a better level of safety than achieved

anywhere in EU so farChallenging EU targets will require action on an unprecedented scaleTo be effective, research-based actions need to offer a high level

of safety

•