Between 1991 and 2017, and especially after 2000, the EU witnessed substantial improvements in terms of road safety, whether measured in terms of fatalities, accidents or injuries.&nbsp; Over a shorter period, between 2001 and 2010, the number of deaths on EU roads decreased by 43 %, and by around another 20 % since 2010.The most recent figures, however, show that progress in reducing the fatality rate is stagnating.

Specific road users or demographic groups are not witnessing the same improvements as the rest of the population.&nbsp;Despite being the safest region in the world, and despite sustained efforts to tackle road safety,&nbsp;around 22 700 people die on EU roads annually, with around 120 000 seriously injured.&nbsp;

Road safety is a shared competence, implying that many measures are primarily dealt with by Member States. However, the EU, has&nbsp;significantly developed the acquis in this area, with the Commission adopting several policy frameworks on road safety.

In 2003, the EU set itself a target in terms of reducing road fatalities, and regularly monitors progress towards this goal. In June 2017, the Council endorsed the Valletta Declaration, which reasserted commitments and targets in the area of road safety. In May 2018, within the context of the third and last 'mobility package', the Commission presented a common framework for road safety for the 2021-2030 period, recalling the EU’s long-term goal of moving as close as possible to zero fatalities in road transport by 2050 ('Vision Zero').

The European Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions regarding or covering road safety, calling notably for more detailed and measurable targets, more account taken of vulnerable users as well as of the safety challenges emerging from the development of connected and automated mobility.

Road safety

Press conference - Driving licence rules

To improve road safety and support the digital transition, MEPs debate and vote (on Wednesday) on updating driving licence rules, introducing mobile licences and mandatory health checks.

Plenary debate - New rules on driving licences

EP Plenary session - Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications

Press conference on review of EU driving licence rules

TRAN - Exchange of views with Mr Hubert GAMBS, Deputy Director General for the Internal Market, European Commission, on the state of play of the implementation of the tourism pathway and the EU Tourism Agenda

EP Plenary session - Insurance of motor vehicles

EP Plenary session - Voting session (part 1) incl. packaging waste and air quality

MEPs vote on the following topics: Delli (A9-0445/2023) - Driving licences, Wölken (A9-0020/2024) - Unitary supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products, Wölken (A9-0019/2024) - Unitary supplementary certificate for medicinal products, and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1001, Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006 as well as Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, Wölken (A9-0023/2024) - Supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products (recast), Wölken (A9-0022/2024) - Supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products (recast), Cavazzini (A9-0009/2024) Amending Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013, Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain reporting requirements, Ernst (LIBE A9-0032/2024) - Report on the ongoing negotiations on a status agreement on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in Senegal

Voting session, including the vote on driving licences

To improve road safety and support the digital transition, MEPs will debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on updating driving licence rules, introducing mobile licences and mandatory health checks for drivers. A press conference with the rapporteur will take place at 14.30 after the vote. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur on The review of EU driving license rules

To improve road safety and support the digital transition, MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on updating driving licence rules, introducing mobile licences and mandatory health checks for drivers. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Directive on Driving Licenses: extracts from the debate

To improve road safety and support the digital transition, MEPs debate and vote on updating driving licence rules, introducing mobile licences and mandatory health checks. Opening statements by Karima DELLI, Rapporteur, and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Debate: Driving licences: Opening statements by Karima DELLI, Rapporteur, and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography

Debate: Driving licences: MEPs debate

Debate: Driving licences: Closing statements by Karima DELLI, Rapporteur, and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography

This infoclip illustrates the new directive to improve road safety and foster the EU’s green and digital transitions. Driving licences for motorcycles, cars and tractors will be valid for 15 years, and five years for trucks and buses, according to the draft rules. The file should also include mandatory health checks when a driving licence is issued or renewed. To support the EU’s single market, a digital driving licence will be introduced, available on a mobile phone and fully equivalent to the physical driver's licence. They also propose a two-year probationary period for novice drivers, who will face stricter penalties for unsafe driving and stringent alcohol limits while driving. This item shows extracts from driving licences, driving school cars, eye examination, traffic, citizens driving, trucks, tractors, campervans/RV, taxis, two-wheeled vehicles, police checking driving licences.

Infoclip: Driving licences

The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) votes its draft report on the Driving Licenses Directive, which is part of the Road Safety Package. The directive primarily seeks to improve the road safety through streamlined requirements for novice drivers, accompanied driving schemes as well as provisions related to physical and mental fitness. Another important goal of this piece of legislation is to improve the freedom of movement within the European Union.

Press conference by Karima DELLI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur after the vote on EU driving license rules

The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) votes its draft report on the Driving Licenses Directive, which is part of the Road Safety Package. The directive primarily seeks to improve the road safety through streamlined requirements for novice drivers, accompanied driving schemes as well as provisions related to physical and mental fitness. Another important goal of this piece of legislation is to improve the freedom of movement within the European Union. This news item shows extracts from the vote and the statement by Karima DELLI, (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur.

EU rules on driving license: extracts from the vote and statement by Karima DELLI, (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur

MEPs of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) vote on two reports from the Road Safety package: the Cross-Border Exchange of information Directive, and the one on Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications. This news item shows footage with extracts from the votes and the statements by Petar VITANOV (S&D, BG) and Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs.

Cross-border exchange of information on road-safety and driving disqualifications: extracts from the votes statements by Petar VITANOV (S&D, BG) and Kosma ZŁOTOWSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs

Parliament debates on updated motor insurance rules to ensure better protection and equal treatment of EU citizens involved in accidents or when insuring their vehicles. Closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

Insurance of motor vehicles: closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union

Parliament debates on updated motor insurance rules to ensure better protection and equal treatment of EU citizens involved in accidents or when insuring their vehicles.

Insurance of motor vehicles: MEPs debate

Parliament debates on updated motor insurance rules to ensure better protection and equal treatment of EU citizens involved in accidents or when insuring their vehicles. Opening statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), rapporteur and by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

Insurance of motor vehicles: opening statements by Dita CHARANZOVÁ (Renew, CZ), rapporteur and by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union

To achieve a goal of zero deaths on EU roads by 2050, MEPs debate on a draft resolution. Around 22 700 people die on EU roads annually, with around 120 000 seriously injured. To remedy this situation, MEPs call for more investments in safer roads, a speed limit of 30km/h in residential areas and areas where there are high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving. Statement by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur, extracts from the debate (04/10) and result of the vote

EU Road Safety: statement by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur, extracts from the debate (04/10) and result of the vote

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero". Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero".

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": MEPs debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero". Opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left,EL), rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur and by Commission

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