New analysis reveals that road deaths in the EU have declined by a mere 1% last year, raising concerns about meeting the ambitious 2030 targets for reducing fatalities. This stagnation highlights the urgent need for renewed efforts and strategies to enhance road safety across Europe.
In contrast to the overall slow progress in the EU, Finland has made remarkable strides in improving road safety. The Scandinavian nation has reduced road deaths by an impressive 29% from 2013 to 2023, significantly higher than the European average decline of 16%. For this outstanding achievement, Finland has been awarded the 2024 European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) award.
Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the ETSC, praised Finland’s comprehensive and strategic approach to road safety, noting their in-depth investigation of every fatal collision as a unique and commendable practice in Europe. He expressed hope that Finland’s success will inspire further efforts to reach even more ambitious targets in the future.
Despite Finland’s success, the broader EU picture is less encouraging. In 2023, there were 20,418 road deaths across Europe, representing only a 1% decrease from the previous year. This is far below the 6.1% annual reduction needed to meet the EU’s goal of a 50% reduction in road deaths by 2030.
In response to the disappointing progress, the ETSC is advocating for the establishment of a dedicated EU road safety agency. This body would oversee the rollout of automated vehicles, conduct crash investigations, and implement safety regulations, similar to agencies in other transport sectors like aviation, maritime, and rail.
The ETSC is also urging the European Commission to revise vehicle safety regulations to accommodate rapidly advancing technologies and to reform periodic technical inspections to ensure these technologies are maintained throughout a vehicle’s lifespan.
Reflecting on the next five-year mandate of the European Parliament and Commission, Antonio Avenoso emphasized the need to prioritise road safety once again. With 100,000 lives lost on EU roads in the past five years, and the same number projected if current trends continue, immediate action is crucial. The newly elected MEPs and appointed Commissioners must act swiftly and decisively to reverse this trend and protect lives on European roads.
While Finland’s progress offers a beacon of hope and a model for others, the overall stagnation in reducing road deaths across the EU is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. The call for a dedicated EU road safety agency and updated safety regulations underscores the need for coordinated and comprehensive efforts. By learning from the successes of nations like Finland and implementing strategic measures, the EU can still aim to achieve its ambitious road safety targets by 2030.
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