Road safety in the EU has improved significantly over the past decades, thanks to strong and effective action taken at EU, national and local level to address road user behaviour, vehicles and infrastructure. As a result the EU roads are the safest world-wide.

This increased safety can to a large extent be attributed to EU legislative requirements on safety of vehicles that have been introduced over these years as part of the EU policy on road safety. These vehicle safety requirements were also a boost to European research, development and innovation: when industry was faced with more ambitious requirements it found the ways to respond with innovative technical solutions.

Road safety (2019 - 2020)

Between 1991 and 2017, and especially after 2000, the EU witnessed substantial improvements in terms of road safety, whether measured in terms of fatalities, accidents or injuries.&nbsp; Over a shorter period, between 2001 and 2010, the number of deaths on EU roads decreased by 43 %, and by around another 20 % since 2010.The most recent figures, however, show that progress in reducing the fatality rate is stagnating.

Specific road users or demographic groups are not witnessing the same improvements as the rest of the population.&nbsp;Despite being the safest region in the world, and despite sustained efforts to tackle road safety,&nbsp;around 22 700 people die on EU roads annually, with around 120 000 seriously injured.&nbsp;

Road safety is a shared competence, implying that many measures are primarily dealt with by Member States. However, the EU, has&nbsp;significantly developed the acquis in this area, with the Commission adopting several policy frameworks on road safety.

In 2003, the EU set itself a target in terms of reducing road fatalities, and regularly monitors progress towards this goal. In June 2017, the Council endorsed the Valletta Declaration, which reasserted commitments and targets in the area of road safety. In May 2018, within the context of the third and last 'mobility package', the Commission presented a common framework for road safety for the 2021-2030 period, recalling the EU’s long-term goal of moving as close as possible to zero fatalities in road transport by 2050 ('Vision Zero').

The European Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions regarding or covering road safety, calling notably for more detailed and measurable targets, more account taken of vulnerable users as well as of the safety challenges emerging from the development of connected and automated mobility.

Road safety

Visit of the President of the French Republic to the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Antonio TAJANI, EP President welcomes Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic

SOS system in car that can call the emergency services in the event of an accident

eCall emergency button in vehicle

This infoclip shows the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure with electric cars, electric and hybrid public transport, hydrogen train and hydrogen refuel stations for trucks . On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented a package of proposals to equip the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, compared with 1990 levels – the 'fit for 55' package. The package includes a proposal to revise the 2014 directive on alternative fuels infrastructure and turn it into a regulation.

Infoclip: Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

On 9 December 2020, the European Commission put forward the Sustainable and smart mobility strategy to transform the EU transport system in line with the European Green Deal and the EU's Digital Strategy. The Commission pledges to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels by replacing existing fleets with low- and zero- emission vehicles and increasing the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels. Second, to increase the use of the less polluting modes and shift a substantial part of today’s inland freight carried by road (75%) onto rail and inland waterways.In Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is preparing an own-initiative report on the strategy, under the lead of Ismail Ertug (S&amp;D, Germany). The footage shows congested roads, road transport, e-cars, e-buses, hydrogen trucks, high-speed train, cargo train, hydrogen train, inland waterways transport, conventional airplanes and animation of future hybrid-hydrogen airplanes.

Infoclip: Fit for 55 - Sustainable and smart mobility strategy

The pandemic has highlighted the risk involved, including for the EU, in relying heavily on external suppliers. The European Parliament supports the initiative to boost all the elements of critical raw material's value chains to ensure the security of supply and weaken unwanted dependencies. This infoclip illustrates port activities, loading containers, inland navigation, cars production lines and buildings construction.

Infoclip: Shortage of raw materials and manufactured goods

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

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero". Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero". Opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left,EL), rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur and by Commission

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Road safety (2019 - 2020)

Road safety

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Infoclip: Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

Infoclip: Fit for 55 - Sustainable and smart mobility strategy

Infoclip: Shortage of raw materials and manufactured goods

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

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur and by Commission

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Visit of the President of the French Republic to the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Antonio TAJANI, EP President welcomes Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic

eCall emergency button in vehicle

eCall emergency button in vehicle

eCall emergency button in vehicle

eCall emergency button in vehicle

eCall emergency button in vehicle