In recent decades, road safety in Europe has improved greatly. With an average of 51 fatalities per 1 million people, Europe has some of the safest roads in the world. In 2019, there were almost 7 000 fewer road fatalities than in 2010—a decrease of 23%. Unfortunately, this progress has slowed in most European countries for a variety of reasons, including a slight increase in the number of cyclist fatalities in urban areas.

The European Union launched a road safety policy for 2021 to 2030 that seeks to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50%. The Strategic Action Plan on Road Safety and the new Road Safety Policy are designed to lead to zero road deaths by 2050. This is also called Vision Zero.

The European Union works closely with city and regional authorities on road safety issues. The Safer Transport Platform, hosted by the Advisory Hub, helps public and private sectors develop road safety projects. Using expert advice within the Advisory Hub, the platform helps projects meet European and national safety goals. A good example of this support is the work done for the Cypriot Ministry of Transport, which asked the Safer Transport Platform for advice on improving road safety.

Fixing problems on primary routes

The Public Works Department in Cyprus is developing a road safety programme across the region. Like many European Union countries, Cyprus has made great strides in road safety in the last decade, but this progress has stagnated in recent years. Cyprus now is trying to find out how it can improve the safety of road infrastructure.

The Advisory Hub is working closely with Cyprus officials to plan and implement a new national road safety programme, which will help the nation meet new European Union directives. The Hub’s experts, supported by an external consultant, are helping Cyprus identify the most important projects on the country’s primary roads. After conducting a safety rating survey, the experts will prepare a programme that will enable Cyprus to implement the new programme on the primary road network by 2030. A “safe system approach” aims to offer a combination of measures to reduce road deaths, such as safer road infrastructure, safer vehicles and measures to address speeding, drinking, wearing seatbelts and the use of helmets for cyclists.

With the Advisory Hub’s support, the Public Works Department has a better chance of getting financing for this project. Increasing investment in safer travel is a key step of the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the Strategic Action Plan on Road Safety.

The services provided by the Advisory Hub, through the Safer Transport Platform, help raise awareness about the various instruments available and solutions that can assist road safety programmes. This will lead to fewer fatalities and safer roads.