Commission urban mobility expert group backs action on speed limits, distraction and vehicle weight

A European Commission expert group has released recommendations for improving road safety in urban areas.  

The report is timed to influence an upcoming European Commission midterm review of its 2021-2030 road safety strategy.  

It includes a call for the European Commission to issue an EU-wide recommendation for implementation of 30 km/h speed limits in urban areas – a move that aligns with both the EU Urban Mobility Framework and Road Safety Policy Framework. 

The group also urges the Commission to establish high-quality standards for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as required under Directive (EU) 2019/1936 on road infrastructure safety management.

They also highlight the need to address motor vehicle user distraction—a significant factor in collisions—by proposing new regulations to minimise distraction from mobile phones and in-vehicle touchscreens.

The group also wants the Commission to ensure that assisted and automated driving systems operate safely around non-motorised traffic participants. The minimum standards for Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology, required on all new vehicles sold in the EU from July this year, should be strengthened to actually limit speed, rather than just operating as a speed alert function.  

The group’s recommendations also extend to additional rules on vehicle design—limiting weight and power—to reduce deaths and serious injuries effectively.

Lastly, they emphasise that TEN-T infrastructure (the network of main EU roads) should prioritise safety and actively facilitate safe walking, cycling, and use of light electric vehicles. The group says specialised training for professionals auditing these roads will be crucial in realising this objective.

The expert group has simultaneously published recommendations on data collection for sustainable urban mobility indicators, which include data on road safety.