European Commission announces major package of transport safety initiatives

21 December 2020

Updated rules on cross-border enforcement of traffic offences, vehicle roadworthiness, automated vehicles, and driving licenses and a proposal to add eCall automated emergency calling devices to motorcycles, trucks and buses are among a major package of new legislative measures for the transport sector have been announced by the European Commission.

The new Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy follows the pattern of recent years of bundling up an array of new related measures into a package rather than announcing them individually.

The Commission also says it will work on new guidance on Blood Alcohol Limits and alcohol interlocks.

At the core of the proposals is a target of a 50 per cent cut in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, with Vision Zero the aim by 2050.  Those targets were first agreed under the previous Commission, headed by Jean-Claude Juncker. The new strategy reaffirms the political commitment to this level of ambition.

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC said: “Despite the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re pleased to see the timely launch of this new mobility strategy for Europe.  We look forward to working with the Commission at every stage, and hope that measures will be prioritised based on solid evidence of the potential for preventing injury and death.”