The European Commission commemorates on Sunday 18 November the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a day to remember those killed or injured on roads.
On this occasion, the European Commission is today presenting the final road safety figures for 2017, which show for the second year in a row a decrease by 2% of road fatalities in the EU compared to the previous year. While this trend is encouraging, 25 260 people still lost their lives on EU roads in 2017. That is why the Commission has taken major steps to reach close to zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.
European Coordinator for Road Safety Matthew Baldwin said: "Today we mourn the 25,260 lives lost on European roads in 2017. But it is time we stopped accepting so many deaths. And whilst European roads are the safest in the world, the downward curve has flattened out in past years. We still have many challenges ahead of us: I especially think of vulnerable road users, who– as the figures show- are making up a larger share of the casualties, especially in urban areas. We need an active, cooperative, holistic approach amongst all stakeholders to implement what we know needs to be done - the Safe System. This important day of remembrance must also be the day when we stop accepting deaths on Europe’s roads".
To reduce the number of road fatalities further, the Commission has put forward in May 2018 in its 3rd Mobility Package two legislative proposals on infrastructure and vehicle safety, as well as a strategy on automated and connected mobility. The Commission has also adopted a new policy framework on road safety for the decade to come, accompanied by a Strategic Action Plan on Road Safety. The new policy framework is based on the so-called 'Safe System' approach, which requires coordinated action of all sectors and involves setting clear targets and monitoring progress with the help of key performance indicators.
Details
- Publication date
- 16 November 2018
- Author
- Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport