Parliament transport committee challenges Commission on road safety governance
A senior European Commission official acknowledged the gap in EU road safety governance when he appeared before the European Parliament’s transport committee on 8 April – as the Commission’s mid-point review of its 2021–2030 road safety strategy was being criticised by MEPs across the political spectrum for lack of pace and ambition.
Kristian Schmidt, EU Road Safety Coordinator at DG MOVE, presented the mid-point review to the TRAN committee chaired by Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (EPP, Greece). He acknowledged that the EU is not on track to meet its 2030 target of halving road deaths and serious injuries, with road deaths falling by just 3% last year, well short of the 4.6% annual reduction needed.
Several MEPs went further. Kai Tegethoff (Greens, Germany) told Schmidt that the mid-point review sends a clear message that the EU is not on track, and asked whether the EU’s current governance arrangements are still fit for the era of automated and connected driving – pointing out that Parliament has already called for a dedicated agency. Elena Kountoura (The Left, Greece, TRAN Vice-Chair) pressed the same point, noting that road transport remains the only major mode without a European agency, in contrast to aviation, shipping and rail. This institutional gap, she said, leaves Europe exposed to fragmented oversight and inconsistent enforcement of European rules across Member States.
She asked Schmidt directly whether the Commission still supports the call for a European Road Transport Agency, and what explains the delay. Schmidt agreed that “the institutional architecture is not there yet”.
ETSC has been calling for an EU road safety agency for years, and made the point again in its initial reaction to the mid-point review in February. Executive Director Antonio Avenoso said at the time that “admitting the house is on fire while refusing to call the fire brigade is not a strategy”.
Back in committee, other MEPs raised more specific concerns. Jens Gieseke (EPP, Germany) welcomed long-term progress but pushed for deeper collaboration through the EU Road Safety Exchange programme and asked about safety data on e-scooters. Rosa Maria Serrano (S&D, Spain) raised speed, pointing to Spain’s experience of urban 30 km/h limits and the Commission’s promised guidance for Member States. Tegethoff also pressed for action on motorway speed limits, citing recent advice from the International Energy Agency on reducing them. Schmidt confirmed the speed guidance would be issued.
Sergio Gonçalves (S&D, Portugal) raised motorcycle safety and roadworthiness inspections against the backdrop of a record number of road deaths in Portugal over Easter. Schmidt said the Commission was watching developments in Portugal with concern, and that powered two-wheelers were a particular issue.