Brussels, 17/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - In 2012, the number of deaths on EU roads fell by 9% compared to the previous year: 2,661 fewer deaths according to the European Transport Safety Council in an annual report published on 17 June. These figures suggest that the goal of reducing the number of deaths on the road by 2020 by half is possible, compared with 2010 figures. Speaking at the presentation of the report, European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas highlighted the fact that this success did not mean the EU could sit on its laurels. He pointed out that the four main causes of death on the roads were drink driving, speed, failing to respect red lights and not wearing a safety belts. He therefore insisted that penalties had to be introduced to punish those guilty of this kind of behaviour. He also pointed out that more vulnerable road users should not be neglected either, such as pedestrians, cyclists, children, the elderly and people with severe disabilities. (MD/transl.fl)