Political, Financial, Social and Legal Frameworks
The technological advances necessary to achieve zero deaths on Europe’s Highways will be underpinned by the political will to finance cooperative research, mandate specific technologies and legislate for the myriad of changes necessary. This in itself will require popular support garnered through effective education and information campaigns. This stream will look at the required steps that will need to be taken in these areas and also at the impediments that will be faced.
Apart from the human tragedy, the cost of the current injury and fatality toll on the roads amounts to around €200 billion, about 2% of EU GDP. The cost of doing very little to reduce the casualty rate is quite considerable. Clearly a large degree of political will and determination will be required, but the achievement of zero deaths on Europe ’s roads will be a fantastic technological and political achievement.
- Political will
- Financing road safety: Costs and benefits
- Driver education issues
- Creating consumer demand for safety technology
- Increasing the effectiveness of safety campaigns
- Creating support for enforcement
- Improving legal accountability for bad road design or maintenance
