| National Charter Tour

 

Germany, together with Sweden, Netherlands and United Kingdom, is one of the best performing countries in road safety and has one of the fewest numbers of deaths in traffic accidents per million inhabitants, 49 in Germany with 71 being the European average. Since 2001 it has had a 42% reduction in the number of deaths, which also one of the highest in the EU (average 35).[1]

 

Currently 35.000 people die every year across Europe due to road traffic collisions but road safety is not an issue that can be defined by statistics; it is actions that make a difference, a continued effort or a contribution that produces a positive result to reduce fatalities and accidents. The European Road Safety Charter aims to get local, regional and national stakeholders in each EU country to become signatories with the hope of reducing deaths on Europe’s roads.

 

There remains road safety concerns in Germany, especially regarding young drivers and pedestrians over 65 years of age who represent 50% of those killed in road accidents.[2] These types of issues and statistics can only encourage organisations and stakeholders to continue or begin road safety actions. Those who will sign the European Road Safety Charter show their commitment to the contribution of reducing fatalities on Germany’s and Europe’s roads with concrete road safety action plans.

 

25 organisations from Germany will show their commitment to road safety by signing the European Road Safety Charter at the National Charter Tour in Berlin, in the presence of Walter Nissler, Policy Officer from the DG Tren, European Commission, Matthias Petschke, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Berlin, Dr. Walter Eichendorf, President of the German Road Safety Council (DVR) and Björn Dosch, Head of Transport Affairs ADAC.

 

The European Road Safety signing ceremony will take place on 2 March 2010 at 10:00 am, at the European Commission representation, Unter den Linden 78, 10117 Berlin.

 

In addition to the signing event, the European Commission is keen to obtain views and opinions regarding road safety directly from the citizens themselves. Therefore a citizen’s forum will be held the evening before the signing event. This innovative initiative is open to all members of the public who’s views will be fed back to the European Commission.

 

 

For further information, or to arrange an interview please contact Tania Vladimirska:

E-mail: tania.vladimirska@paueducation.com

Phone: (+34) 933 670 434

Visit: www.erscharter.eu

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