To achieve a goal of zero deaths on EU roads by 2050, MEPs debate on a draft resolution. Around 22 700 people die on EU roads annually, with around 120 000 seriously injured. To remedy this situation, MEPs call for more investments in safer roads, a speed limit of 30km/h in residential areas and areas where there are high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving. Statement by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur, extracts from the debate (04/10) and result of the vote

EU Road Safety: statement by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur, extracts from the debate (04/10) and result of the vote

Title: EU Road Safety: statement by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur, extracts from the debate (04/10) and result of the vote

Exterior shots of EP in Strasbourg, France

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), Rapporteur, Every year more than 20 000 of our fellow citizens and children are killed on the streets of Europe and more than 120 000 are seriously injured. Unfortunately, the rate of declining deaths from traffic accidents has been frozen in recent years. According to valid statistics, drivers of cars enjoy greater safety on the roads while pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed to increased risk. A new holistic road safety policy framework is therefore needed to fill the gaps in the past and make progress again. The report by the European Parliament is an ambitious roadmap with concrete measures that will lead Europe to the target of reducing the dead and seriously wounded by 50% by 2030.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), Rapporteur, The report contains ambitious proposals to reduce the number of dead and seriously injured by 40% by 2030. We propose interventions and reforms in four categories of safe vehicles, secure infrastructures, safe use of roads, creating a suitable framework for the future. All our proposals are important because they can save lives. For example, a systematic recording and evaluation of European roads must be carried out in order to invest to the most dangerous places as a matter of priority, using European and national resources. Speed and alcohol kill. We propose the introduction of a 30 km/h limit in cities in the development of the new generation of intelligent speed control systems and zero alcohol tolerance.

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), Rapporteur, We propose the creation of a new European road transport agency in line with the organisations' standards for other modes of transport that will provide valuable support and know-how. Finally, we propose the establishment of the European Year of Road Safety as raising awareness and informing citizens about road safety is crucial to achieving our goals and saving lives.

SOUNDBITE (English), Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, There can be no sustainability without safety. As we build transport infrastructure, we need it to be both green and safe. When we improve the infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. For instance, we both encourage reduction of our carbon footprint healthy, active mobility, and we make it safer. Indeed, as the EU becomes more urban, road safety is becoming increasingly an urban question. And vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists now account for 70 percent of traffic fatalities in our cities.

SOUNDBITE (French), Beno&#238;t LUTGEN (EPP, BE), I think we also have to consider the power of vehicles. And here we're looking at a link between safety and the environment. The power of vehicles can constitute a danger for all road users, especially vulnerable ones such as cyclists and pedestrians. So we need to work upstream on the power of these vehicles to make sure we can avoid these sort of accidents.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Isabel GARC&#205;A MU&#209;OZ (S&amp;D, ES), Moreover, we have to be able to bet on public transport in more sustainable transport. It is absolutely necessary to look at what has happened through the pandemic to make sure that those who have been impacted because of Covid are addressed. We've seen that there has been a shift to electric mobility and we need to be able to make sure that we have areas where there is not too much congestion on the roads.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jos&#233; Ram&#243;n BAUZ&#193; D&#205;AZ (Renew, ES), There are thousands of people who die every year at the hands, people who are driving under the influence of alcohol. And for this reason, institutions have to have a coordinated approach to make sure this kind of thing stops happening. It's happening in Austria, Belgium or France, where mechanisms are being set up to stop these people and soon in Spain will have this kind of thing as well. We can see it with haulers as well. But it should also be extended. To other vehicles to stop people who've been drinking, being able to drive many of these mechanisms installed into vehicles.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA, LU), Speeding is one of the main factor is a fact of a third of all fatal road crashes. So we call for safe speed limits on all roads and especially 30 kilometers an hour as a default speed in residential areas. It is also key to promote lighter and smaller cars, much safer for all the road users. We also call for redesign human space, putting people and public transport at the center and promoting active mobility with safe infrastructures for those walking and cycling.

EU Road Safety: statement by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur, extracts from the debate (04/10) and result of the vote

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