ETSC, in which SWOV’s Henk Stipdonk is also active, published a press release stating that around 25,500 people died on European roads in 2016. This means that in 2016 road deaths on European roads decreased by only 2%. At this rate the EU-target of having halved the number of road deaths between 2010 and 2020 will not be reached.
Commenting on the publication of the latest figures, Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council said:
“Member states also need to reprioritise action on enforcement, infrastructure safety improvements and measures to make pedestrians and cyclists safer on our roads. Road deaths and serious injuries devastate lives and cost the European economy billions every year.”
Furthermore, it is estimated that every year another 135,000 road users are seriously injured. While road deaths declined considerably over the last decade, serious injuries did not decline at the same rate. This prompted 28 EU ministers of transport to ask for a long term target and action to cut serious injuries on European roads by 2030.
Antonio Avenoso:
“We warmly welcome today’s call from transport ministers for long-term strategic targets to reduce deaths and, for the first time, serious injuries on EU roads. But in the short term, urgent action is needed. Minimum EU vehicle safety standards have not been updated since 2009 despite rapid advances in new technology that can help drivers avoid collisions.”
