On Thursday, 17 June, MEPs on the European Parliament’s ‘Transport’ committee adopted a draft report on the main measures to be taken with regard to road safety (see EUROPE 12690/11).
The text draws up a list of recommendations to achieve the goal of zero deaths on European roads by 2050. Among them, the text—which names speeding as a key factor in 30% of fatal accidents—advocates a 30 km/h speed limit in residential areas and those with a large number of cyclists and pedestrians.
Besides zero tolerance for drink-driving, the draft resolution also calls on the European Commission to consider incorporating a ‘driving safe mode’ for mobile devices to limit driver distraction behind the wheel.
Still on the subject of devices, the text welcomes the recent revision of the General Safety Regulation, which will make intelligent speed assistance and emergency lane keeping systems, among other features, mandatory as of 2022.
“Strong political will by the national governments and the European Commission is essential”, said rapporteur Elena Kountoura (The Left, Greece).
MEPs will come to a decision on the report during the September plenary session. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)