The European Union has set a target of reducing the number of road deaths across the continent by 50 per cent by 2030. But the journey still looks long, and hitting the target will require a decisive acceleration. Last year, road deaths across the European Union numbered 20,418.

In Europe in 2023, one road death every two hours

We are talking about 56 victims a day, more than two every hour, representing a 1 per cent decline compared with 2022 — a figure that would need to increase at least sixfold to meet the EU target. The picture emerges from the annual report of the Road safety performance index published by the European Transport Safety Council, of which, for Italy, Automobile Club d'Italia is a member.

In Italy, road accident fatalities fell by 2 per cent in a year. The mortality rate per million inhabitants remains above the European average (52 against 46) and, among the 27 EU countries, Italy ranks only 21st in terms of mortality reduction over the past decade. Excellent results come from Finland, which received the Road safety performance index 2024 award for its outstanding achievements in road safety, the fruit of a comprehensive strategy and ambitious long-term targets: over the past decade, the Nordic country has reduced the number of road fatalities by 29 per cent, compared with the European average of 16 per cent.

A European Road Safety Agency is needed

Just as agencies responsible for safety in air, maritime and rail transport already exist, the European Transport Safety Council has called for the establishment of a European Road Safety Agency; a body that should be equipped with specific powers, such as managing the introduction of autonomous vehicles and conducting thorough investigations into the most serious accidents.

"Road safety," explained ETSC director Antonio Avenoso, "must once again be a priority. Over the past five years, 100,000 people have died on European roads, and another 100,000 will die in the next five if nothing changes. The new MEPs and Commissioners must hit the ground running." The European Transport Safety Council also urged the European Commission to revise vehicle safety standards in light of the rapid pace of technological progress, and to set new rules for periodic vehicle inspections, in order to guarantee the proper maintenance and effectiveness of new technologies throughout the entire lifespan of vehicles.