Brussels, 06/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - One of the results of the European Quavadis project ,which the European Commission has presented in connection with the European Year of People with Disabilities, demonstrates that over 3 million people in the European Union currently hold a driving licence for private cars adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. This figure includes 160 000 people who become permanently disabled each year as a result of road accidents. Many Member States are still not using all the available know-how and opportunities to promote the mobility of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are still being refused driving licences and in order to regain their mobility, some people move to other Member States to be able to obtain a driving licence for specially adapted vehicles. The Quavadis programme was started up by the Commission in 2001 and is aimed ensuring proper application of Community legislation relating to adapted vehicles, through information exchange and "best practices". It is also aimed at improving the safety level of vehicle adaptations, increasing transparency and making the use of vehicles of this type more widespread amongst people with disabilities.