Board names Walter Eichendorf as the new president of the European Transport Safety Council
- Herman De Croo to step down at the end of December after 30 years in the role
The board of directors of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Walter Eichendorf as President from 1 January 2024. Professor Herman De Croo, the founding president of ETSC since 1993, is stepping down at the end of December after serving as board president for 30 years.
Walter Eichendorf has decades of experience in the field of risk prevention in the workplace, with a particular focus on road collisions as the most significant cause of workplace injury and death. In 2009, he was elected as president of the German Road Safety Council (DVR), and served in that role until 2022. During that time, he also served as a board member of ETSC.
In 2014, he received the Federal Cross of Merit from the President of Germany for his work on road safety.
Professor Eichendorf commented:
“I’m honoured to be stepping into the role of President of ETSC. I believe in the Vision Zero approach to road safety, and have made it a central aim of my career to work towards an end to road death and injury. I’m looking forward to helping ETSC in its vital role of advising European institutions and national governments on how to rise to this challenge.
“I would like to pay tribute to Professor De Croo, for his vision and courage over three decades. He played an essential role in the creation of ETSC, and has guided it with grace, calm and passion for three decades. It’s a tremendous legacy, and I would like to thank him for his immeasurable contribution.”
Professor Herman De Croo holds the honorary title in Belgium of Minister of State. He is a former transport minister, and was the longest-serving member of the Belgian parliament, serving as speaker for eight years.
Professor De Croo commented:
“It has been a great privilege to serve as president of ETSC and see the enormous positive impact the organisation has had on improvements in vehicle safety, enforcement, the fight against drink-driving as well as new challenges such as vehicle automation. Road safety in Europe has improved dramatically over the last thirty years, thanks in no small part,to the influence of ETSC.
“Road safety should not be a party-political issue; any family can be affected by the tragedy of a road death or serious injury. In these increasingly divided times, independent scientific organisations like ETSC are more important than ever. I wish ETSC, its new President, board and staff every success for the next 30 years.”
Professor De Croo will retain the title of Honorary President and will remain a board member.
