Brussels, 23/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The first plenary meeting of the Forum on electronic safety (e-safety) held on 22 April in Brussels, reached, according to the European Commission, "European consensus" on the implementation of a certain number of new technologies involved in road safety. Chaired by the Commission, the meeting brought together around 150 representatives from the car and telecommunications industries, as well as intelligent transport system provides, infrastructure users and the public authorities. Participants included Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner for enterprise and the information society, Max Mosley, president of FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile); Louis Schweitzer, president of ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens des Automobiles) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Renault.
The Forum has established recommendations on the deployment of (in-vehicle emergency calls, Accident Causation Data, a better Human-Machine Interaction and a stimulating Business rationale. Emphasising the role of the Commission in road safety, Commissioner Liikanen used the occasion to announce the presentation by June of two communications: the Communication on the third Road Safety Action Plan, which will lay down the general use of new technologies for road safety; and a communication relating to information and communication technologies for intelligent vehicles which will present the detailed actions that the Commission plans to undertake in order to implement and encourage development, deployment and the use of new technologies with a view to improving road safety. The Commissioner stressed that one should not forget to follow up the progress made in application of all electronic security recommendations. Precise objectives for the provision of products, public investment and legal measures are essential as, without them, there will be no commitment, he added. Speaking on behalf of the European motor industry, Mr Schweitzer gave his unreserved support to the Commission's initiatives.
The next Forum on electronic security will be held in Madrid on 17 November on the occasion of the world congress of ITS (intelligent transport systems). Work on the four themes mentioned will be continued. Four new working groups will be created and will deal with international cooperation, information in real time on movement and travel, priorities in the field of research and development, and roadmaps.