Open Letter in Support of Higher Safety Levels on EU Roads

Publication date: 25 February 2008

We, the undersigned organisations (representing a broad range of road users, road safety organisations, public authorities, infrastructure operators and industries), welcome the proposal for a Directive on Road Infrastructure Safety Management, as being part of the “integrated approach to road safety” (linking the users, the vehicle and the infrastructure aspects) and a step in the right direction to reach the EU’s objective of halving the number of deaths on European roads by 2010.

We therefore invite the European Parliament’s Transport Committee to carefully re-examine the content of the European Commission’s proposal and deliver a positive vote in its meeting of 25th - 26th February 2008.

In our view, this proposal does not contradict the Better Regulation Agenda, as it does not introduce any extra costs or further administrative burden on those Member States which already boast good safety records, but provides a clear added value for enhanced road safety, mainly in those new Member States that could gain major benefits from the implementation of this directive. Accepting a constructive approach would send a strong and positive message to all European citizens, at a time when road safety has become a priority within the European Union’s agenda.

We underline that, in order to analyse all the parameters affecting road safety and successfully meet the EU’s safety targets, a continuing and transparent dialogue between all 27 Member States, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the relevant stakeholders, is needed so as to reach the consensus that is essential for the common interests of Europe’s society.

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Please read a background information paper on the proposed Directive at www.saferoads.eu

Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
European Union Road Federation
International Road Federation
Association Européenne des Concessionnaires d’Autoroutes et d’Ouvrages à Péage
Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles
Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations
Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles
European Asphalt Pavement Association
Confederation of Organisations in Road Transport Enforcement
Association of European Vehicle Logistics
Cities and Regions networking for Innovative Transport Solutions
International Road Transport Union
European Transport Safety Council
International Federation of Pedestrians