EU ministers of transport have called for a long-term target and action to cut serious injuries on European roads by 2030.

Minimum EU vehicle safety standards have not been updated since 2009.

In a declaration signed in the Maltese capital Valletta, transport ministers recommitted to an existing EU target to halve roads deaths by 2020 and also promised long-term targets for reducing deaths and, for the first time, serious injuries by half by 2030.

The news comes as latest European Commission data shows recent slow progress in reducing road deaths in Europe continued last year.  Deaths reduced by just 2% in 2016, following an increase of 1% in 2015.

In response, Antonio Avenoso, executive director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), welcomed the call, adding: “But in the short term, urgent action is needed.  Minimum EU vehicle safety standards have not been updated since 2009 despite rapid advances in new technology that can help drivers avoid collisions.

“Plans to update vehicle safety standards were postponed again last month until March 2018. But every day of delay will lead to more unnecessary deaths and serious injuries on our roads.  If the EU and member states are serious about putting an end to the 500 deaths on European roads every week, they must act now.”

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