| European Signing Event

The European Level Crossing Forum meeting held in London on the 28 October 2009,  hosted a European Road Safety Charter signing event, in the presence of Mr Jean-Paul Repussard from the Directorate General for Energy and Transport – European Commission.

Four large railways companies have joined the Charter community with action plans focused on improving safety at level crossing: Réseau Ferré de France, Infrabel (Belgium), Rail Safety and Standards Board Ltd (UK) and NRIC “Movement and capacity allocation management” Directorate (Bulgaria).

 

Their commitments are the continuity of the efforts made by all involved organisations in the field.

 

Each year, people die in accidents at level crossings: in 2006 the number represented around 2% of the approximately 41.300 road deaths in Europe, but, at the same time, around 30% of all rail accidents. The majority of these fatalities are caused by road vehicle drivers.

 

The European Level Crossing Forum organises a yearly European Level Crossing Day to raise awareness of all users about these dangers. Further to this campaign, railways companies also develop their own plans to modify the infrastructures so that safety doesn’t depend so much on users’ behaviour. Road safety is therefore a high priority for these organisations as testified by the signatories on the event. More railway companies have committed to join the Charter in the coming months.

 

The European Road Safety Charter has launched a specific community for all stakeholders involved in safety at level crossing in order for their activities to be discussed  and a forum for exchanging ideas.

 

We are convinced that sharing good practices and experiences will highly contribute to improving Road Safety in Europe!