Eight years ago the European Commission set itself the target of cutting road deaths by 50% by 2010. How is the EU doing so far?

Europarl Today: On the road again...

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15019415/P001-90717-002-S-EN.srt

Be careful and patient, there are heavy   rains in parts of the country.

Slow down for more safety, switch on   your headlights and keep your distances.

Watch out for an accident in Brussels,   on the Chemin de l'Ombre.

Willy and Francine had better follow   these radio direction advice.

These Belgian pensioners   are going on holiday.

To avoid bad surprises,   you should check your car carefully.

The bikes are safely attached,   the caravan well balanced

We pay attention to the caravan's   balance. That's the most important.

Tyre pressure must also be checked   both for the car and the caravan.

Despite the constant increase   of traffic density,

the number of deaths   on European roads is decreasing.

In 2008, 40,000 people died.   That's 15,400 less than in 2001.

That was the year the European   Commission aimed at halving

the number of deaths   on the road for 2010.

Countries, like France, Portugal or   Belgium, are getting close to that goal.

Speed limits going down,   compulsory safety belt, radars,

police forces apply all measures to   dissuade drivers from breaking the law.

Today, cars are safer   which is really good for road safety.

Yet, over 80% of accidents   are caused by human mistakes,

so there's not much   the car can be liable for.

People driving in their own country have   little chance of avoiding fines

This situation won't change   in the near future.

For nearly 15 years, Member States have   been trying to harmonise procedures

Should the EU want to reach   the goals set in 2001:

a cut by 50% of deaths on the road,   this issue will have to become a priority.