Brussels, 13/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) are joining forces to help improve road safety for young people. This demographic group is overrepresented in road accident statistics, although over the past decade, Europe has been able to reduce the numbers of deaths on the road by almost half.
On Tuesday 12 November, the two organisations organised a debate in Brussels on this theme. People aged between 15 and 24 make up one fifth of the total fatalities on the road today. The FIA and ACEA agree that, to ensure better road safety for young people, young people themselves have to be involved in finding answers. ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert stated that “vehicle manufacturers are continuing to invest in safety technologies. However, safe vehicles need to be driven by safe drivers on safe roads to be effective”. The debate concluded that there was also a need to invest in education and awareness campaigns for young drivers and improving driving skills through training. The FIA and ACEA also underlined the the role of authorities in facilitating the creation of a safer road and driving environment. (MD/transl.fl)