Road safety
Autonomous vehicles will end road deaths in Europe, says Slovenian minister
The rollout of autonomous vehicles has the potential to reduce traffic by 90% and bring road deaths to zero, but serious technological hurdles remain, Mark Boris Andrijanic, Slovenia's minister for digital transformation, has said.
How can European and African leaders address the continent’s road safety crisis?
Those living in Africa are more than five times as likely to be involved in a fatal car accident as those living in Europe. European and African leaders must commit to advancing safe mobility across the continent, writes Jean Todt, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for road safety.
EU has world’s safest roads, recorded fewest traffic-related deaths in 2020
In 2020, 4,000 fewer people died in the EU as a result of road accidents compared to the year before, according to the European Commission, making the bloc the safest region compared to the rest of the world and the global average of road traffic deaths. EURACTIV France reports.
Digital solutions can stem the economic toll of road congestion, official says
Digitalising European roads will save lives, reduce harmful polluting emissions, and cut down the “pure economic waste” caused by traffic congestion, according to an EU official.
EU official: Road digitalisation will lead to safer and greener highways
EU funding is supporting member states to integrate digital technology into European highways, making travelling by road smarter. Intelligent Transport Systems have the potential to increase road safety and efficiency, cutting emissions and potentially saving lives, says Pieropaolo Tona.
E-scooter service providers set up EU trade group in Brussels
A new trade EU association for micro mobility services was launched on Tuesday (2 February) to unite eight e-scooter operators such as Lime and Bolt. Abandoned scooters and safety concerns are likely to top their policy agenda.
French cycling route receives EU funds for being ’emissions-free’
The ViaRhôna, a green and heritage-filled 815-kilometre long cycling route in southeast France, has received more than €2 million in EU funds during the 2014-2020 budget period because of its environmental component. EURACTIV France reports.
French, Greeks are Europe’s rudest road users, poll reveals
Drivers in most of Europe say they have adopted safer and more courteous behaviour behind the wheel, with the notable exception of the French and Greeks who share the top spot for hurling insults at other road users, polling data showed Wednesday (1 July).
Austro-German road-charging debacle reignites pan-EU toll debate
After the EU Court of Justice ruled against Germany's plans to introduce a highway toll, the debate about an EU-wide motorway toll has once again been ignited. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska.
Paris loses patience with e-scooters
France’s capital city will make it illegal to park e-scooters on pavements and in parks. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has also ordered a speed limit cut to address the rising accident rate.
EU countries tinker with laws of the road
Speed limit tweaks and fines for distracted drivers are under consideration in various parts of Europe, as countries ponder different ways to regulate road traffic and make it safer.
Germany to unleash e-scooters on streets
The upper house of the German parliament voted on Friday (17 May) to allow e-scooters onto the country’s streets, as the new urban vehicle continue to take Europe by storm.
Bulc urges 5G advocates to focus on autonomous driving, leave connected cars to WiFi
A European Commission plan to push WiFi as the technology of choice for connected cars over 5G is proving to be controversial. EU transport chief Violeta Bulc told EURACTIV in an interview that saving lives is the most important factor and WiFi is the only proven option.
Truck safety: A lack of vision and a loss of life
Cynthia Barlow’s daughter died after being struck by a truck while out cycling. When she realised how casually her child's death was treated by the legal system, she resolved to take action.
European drivers may be wary of cars that stop them from speeding
Fully automated driving may be years away, but a new EU law being debated by legislators would mandate some semi-autonomous features in new cars, such as intelligent speed assistance. And the auto industry is worried about driver backlash.
Taking road safety to a new level: Aligning infrastructure, new technologies and changes in mobility trends
Technological advances, in connectivity and automation, create new opportunities to eliminate or compensate for human error. Automated driving holds great potential to further improve road safety in the near future.
Seeing is believing: How redesigning trucks can eliminate blindspots
Sensors have a role to play for pedestrian safety, particularly for the areas around a truck where the driver cannot see directly. But they shouldn’t replace direct vision through the windows of the vehicle, writes Samuel Kenny.
Connected cars: A question of road safety in the 5G Vs WiFi debate
The automotive industry is moving ever closer in the mass development of connected cars, yet a number of challenges still exist for policymakers if the EU is to foster the development of the technology alongside fulfiling its long-term goal of zero fatalities by 2050 as part of its ambitious "Vision Zero" programme.
Italy PM declares state of emergency after bridge collapse killed 39
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared on Wednesday (15 August) a state of emergency covering the region around Genoa after a bridge collapse killed 39 people and severed the port city's mainland corridor with southern France.
EU connected cars plan sparks national backlash
A niche policy fight over the technical groundwork for internet-connected cars has pitted car companies against telecoms operators and also set off alarm bells in a handful of EU capitals.
MEP on connected car fight: Commission should focus on safety standards, not technology
The European Commission wants future connected vehicles to be able to run both on 5G and Wifi networks, claiming its upcoming legal proposal will remain "technology neutral". But a leading lawmaker warns this will in effect give preference to one technology over another.
Truck drivers could pay the price for EU compromise on posted workers
Two draft laws which will be voted on during the European Parliament's plenary session on Thursday (14 June) could lead to more job insecurity for lorry drivers. EURACTIV.fr reports.
EU’s ‘long overdue’ first foray into truck rules revealed
CO2 emissions from trucks will be regulated under EU law for the first time as part of a package of new rules that also aims to increase efficiency and improve road safety.