According to new research from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), 7,600 people died in road traffic while cycling or walking in the EU in 2013: the equivalent of a commercial airliner full of passengers being lost every week. 

In its report, the ETSC adds that unprotected road users need special attention because the numbers being killed are falling more slowly than those for vehicle occupants. In the last 10 years, deaths among pedestrians and cyclists fell by 41% and 37% respectively, while vehicle occupant deaths fell by 53%.

The organisation said that the EU should upgrade the pedestrian protection tests that form part of the ‘type approval’ process that all new vehicles sold on the EU market must undergo. The tests should also take into account the need to better protect cyclists when they are hit by a car.

It also says that new vehicles should be fitted Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) as standard to help drivers comply with speed limits. And the ETSC is also calling for mandatory safety requirements for heavy goods vehicles to improve visibility and prevent vulnerable road users from being run over. 

At the national level, the report recommends encouraging local authorities to introduce 30kph zones in residential areas and areas used by many pedestrians and cyclists. This is already happening in a number of countries. The German government announced last month it would make it easier for local authorities to introduce 30kph zones near schools on main roads.

The report also says urban planning should be based on a hierarchy of road users where pedestrians, cyclists and public transport are prioritised.

Antonio Avenoso, executive director of ETSC, said: “Despite the health and environmental benefits, people who cycle and walk are not getting a fair share of improvements in road safety in Europe. This year, the EU has a very powerful weapon at its disposal, namely the review of safety requirements for new vehicles – it should not shy away from mandating the changes that can save the most lives.”

To download the ETSC report, click here.