The European Commission welcomes the official launch of the United Nations’ Global Plan setting out how to achieve the target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030. The Global Plan encourages governments, national and international agencies, non-governmental organisations, foundations, the education sector and private companies each to play their part in implementing policies and actions that will help cut road traffic casualties.
It reinforces the EU’s own aspirations: The EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 aims at halving the number of fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2030, as a milestone on the way to ‘Vision Zero’ – zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.
European Commissioner Adina Vălean, responsible for mobility and transport, said: ‘I warmly welcome the launch of the Global Plan for the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety, to reach the goal of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. In the EU, we are already delivering on many of these areas, such as setting technical standards for vehicles and infrastructure, rules on driving licenses and roadworthiness, priority funding for increasing road safety, and outreach to civil society organisations.’
The European Union is already a world leader in reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of road deaths dropped by 36%. With 42 road deaths per 1 million inhabitants, the EU remains the continent with the safest roads in the world. However, it fell short of achieving the target of 50% fewer deaths that had been set for that decade, and more needs to be done.
The European Commission is working to deliver all elements of its 2019 Road Safety Policy Framework by promoting the ‘safe system’ of safer vehicles, safer infrastructure, safer road users and better post-crash care and by implementing its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
Source: European Commission
