Eight transport ministers wrote a letter to European Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, to urge her to define rules to make trucks safer for vulnerable road users, amongst which motorcyclists.

Elżbieta Bieńkowska is Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

In their letter, the ministers state: “Truck design has huge potential for safety improvement. According to a recent TRL study for the Commission, better direct vision and crash performance could save up to 900 lives per year. Camera and monitor systems that provide drivers with a 360° view around the vehicle can also contribute to better truck safety. We believe road safety should be a top priority for the European Commission. We look forward to receive a proposal for new and ambitious safety rules in 2017.”

Reason for the letter is the European Commission’s current review of the General Safety Regulation and Pedestrian Safety Regulation. This was also discussed at the Motor Vehicle Working Group of the European Commission on 15 February; FEMA was present at that meeting.

The ministers express their concern for the safety of vulnerable road users in the cities and point to the fact that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists account for over half of road fatalities in urban areas.

The transport ministers urge Commissioner Bieńkowska to prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users when making a proposal for new safety standards. FEMA can only support them in this.

Written by Dolf Willigers
Photograph by Wim Taal