Briefing: Mid Term Review of the European Commission’s Road Safety Policy Orientations 2011-2020

In July 2010, the European Commission published a set of ‘Road Safety Policy Orientations’ (RSPO), a framework with the objective of reducing road deaths by 50% by 2020.

While ETSC welcomed the adoption of the 2020 target, our response to the RSPO was that it was a significant step backwards compared to the three previous European Road Safety Action Programmes. ETSC described the document as containing ‘a weak set of objectives and actions’ which calls ‘seriously into question the chances of reaching the target’. In particular ETSC criticised the assertion in the document that ‘with over a dozen legislative instruments on road safety, the EU acquis are essentially in place’ commenting that it revealed ‘a disturbing complacency about the legislative foundation for action for the next decade’.

In 2010, the road safety community had hoped for, and expected, a new EU 10-year action programme providing a vision, priorities and a detailed road map against which performance could be measured and delivery made accountable. The RSPO fell short of those expectations.

Almost half way to 2020, the European Commission is now undertaking a review of the RSPO. This short briefing reflects ETSC’s analysis of the measures that have been undertaken, but will also remind policymakers and other stakeholders of the need to redouble European efforts in the field of road safety and to strengthen and expand the scope of action needed to reach the 2020 target.