New statistics show a drop in the number of people killed in road traffic accidents across the European Union. But there is still a long way to go towards making EU roads safer for those who travel them. Figures released by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) show that 38,000 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2008. Although that figure is down 15,400 since 2001, it is still miles away from the 27,000 deaths target which the EU set itself for 2010. In order to now reach that reduced figure, there would need to be a 17 percent annual reduction in deaths on Europe's highways and byways both in 2009 and 2010. And that is just not realistic, experts say. In an ETSC press release, the body's Executive Director Antonio Avenoso said the EU should come up with a new program for better road safety in the next decade. "New targets must be set for 2020 which will mobilise action at a joint European level," he said, adding that "more EU instruments, like structural funds for transport" should be used to further reduce the numbers of deaths and disabilities resulting from accidents on European roads.
Figures released by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) show that 38,000 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2008. Although that figure is down 15,400 since 2001, it is still miles away from the 27,000 deaths target which the EU set itself for 2010.
In order to now reach that reduced figure, there would need to be a 17 percent annual reduction in deaths on Europe's highways and byways both in 2009 and 2010. And that is just not realistic, experts say.
In an ETSC press release, the body's Executive Director Antonio Avenoso said the EU should come up with a new program for better road safety in the next decade.
"New targets must be set for 2020 which will mobilise action at a joint European level," he said, adding that "more EU instruments, like structural funds for transport" should be used to further reduce the numbers of deaths and disabilities resulting from accidents on European roads.
Europe faces long road in improving traffic safety New statistics show a drop in the number of people killed in road traffic accidents across the European Union. But there is still a long way to go towards making EU roads safer for those who travel them.
New statistics show a drop in the number of people killed in road traffic accidents across the European Union. But there is still a long way to go towards making EU roads safer for those who travel them.
