EC: Pace of reducing road fatality rates is insufficient

The European Commission (EC) published on February 16 its report to track progress towards the EU’s goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, saying that while progress has been made in reducing road fatalities, the report reveals that the current pace is insufficient.

The EC said that 19 940 people were killed on Europe’s roads in 2024.

This represents a 12 per cent decrease since 2019 but falls significantly short of the annual 4.6 per cent reduction needed to meet the 2030 targets, as set in the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030.

Road crashes continue to impose enormous costs on the EU economy, estimated at approximately two per cent of gross domestic product, while up to 100 000 people sustain life-changing injuries each year, the EC said.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility between the EU and member states,” the Commission said.

While national and local authorities carry out most day-to-day actions, the EU also plays a key role in strengthening road safety across Europe, it said.

Recent EU initiatives include updated requirements for driving licences, better cross-border enforcement of traffic laws, and a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s road safety and vehicle registration rules.

The February 16 report presents more ambitious actions requiring coordinated efforts from EU institutions, member states, and local authorities.

The Commission said that it will take measures across five priority areas, including promoting infrastructure safety and intelligent transport systems; helping to strengthen enforcement of road traffic rules and deterrence of poor road behaviour; advancing with the deployment of vehicle safety technologies; addressing new forms of mobility; and prioritising road safety research.

(Photo: Erich Kasten/ freeimages.com)