The road safety statistics for the EU fell again this year by 8% according to Commissioner Kallas. As with previous years the number of pedestrians did not fall as much and the Commissioner said that cycling fatalities were actually on the increase. 

However it was unknown as to whether this increase is due to less safety and inherent risk on the roads or whether this meant that there were a greater number of cyclists. However it is clear that it is essential that the European Commission knows the number of cyclists with the same depth that it knows other road users.

Road safety policy officer Ceri Woolsgrove said

“This makes it clearer than ever that we really need to know what is happening with cycling in member states with regards to the risk on EU roads. We need to know whether cycling is increasing or whether the risk is increasing and we urge the Commission to work with member states to collect the data.”

However it has been a continuing theme that the safety figures for cars and other motorised transport has been consistently improving while walking and cycling have been improving at a much slower rate. Vehicle technology has made cars and lorries much safer for the occupants, ECF thinks that it is time to prioritise vehicle technology with regards to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists as well.

Therefore ECF thinks that Intelligent Speed Assistance[1] (ISA) should also be a major contributor to reducing cycling casualties. ECF says that the technology is almost ready for ISA and that the EU coordinates the remaining technological challenges and provides the political willpower to make it mandatory. ISA should start with replacing speed limiters in HGVs/lorries and should eventually be compulsory in all motorised vehicles.

ECF is also pleased that Commissioner Kallas made the link between road safety and the work being done by the Parliament and the Council on lorry cab design. ECF is happy that this is still as important an issue for the Commission and Commissioner Kallas as it is for the European Parliament whose TRAN committee voted to make safety a priority two weeks ago^[2]. ECF awaits excellent progress within the three institutions on this issue.

[1] ISA either warns the driver that he/she is driving above the road speed limit, or physically stops the car from going over the limit http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/speed/new_technologies_new_opportunities/intelligent_speed_adaptation_isa.htm

[2] http://ecf.com/news/opinion-can-the-eu-make-lorries-safer-across-the-eu/