Promoting efficient, safe and green land transport
What does EU road transport policy want to achieve? Have a look at our web portal: "A Road Transport Strategy for Europe".
The aim of the European Union’s land transport policy is to promote mobility that is efficient, safe, secure and environmentally friendly.
The EU’s policy objectives for road transport are therefore to promote efficient road freight and passenger transport services, to create fair conditions for competition, to promote and harmonise safer and more environmentally friendly technical standards, to ensure a degree of fiscal and social harmonisation, and to guarantee that road transport rules are applied effectively and without discrimination.
The existing legislation applying to road transport services establishes common rules on access to the profession and to the market, sets minimal standards for working time, driving time and rest periods (including enforcement and the use of tachograph (devices) for professional road transport, and sets minimum annual vehicle taxes, as well as common rules for tolls and user charges for heavy goods vehicles. Moreover, it harmonises the maximum weights and dimensions of road vehicles. The Commission also promotes increasing the number of safe parking areas along the trans-European road network.
The most recent developments in the road transport market are described in the Road Freight Transport Vademecum (September 2011) and the most relevant statistics are available in the Transport PocketBook. In addition, the Commission adopted its Report on the State of the Union Road Transport Market (COM(2014)222) in April 2014.
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The Commission released preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2024, reporting around 19,800 deaths - a 3% decrease from 2023, equivalent to 600 fewer lives lost.
The European automotive sector is at critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and increasing competition. To address the changes ahead, President von der Leyen in January launched a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry.
The European automotive sector is at critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and increasing competition.
As a global advocate for safer roads, the European Commission is committed to driving evidence-based policymaking and supporting initiatives that reduce road casualties worldwide.
On 17 January 2025, the EU and Ukraine agreed on the recognition of smart tachographs for the enforcement of the EU-Ukraine Road Transport Agreement.
The Commission welcomes the European Parliament and Council's final adoption of the Directive to strengthen cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules.
Measures designed to help Member States, transport operators and workers continue transport operations and support the transport of refugees
