Progress report shows acute need for action.

On February 13, the European Commission presented a progress report on the implementation of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021–2030. This shows that, while progress has been made in reducing road deaths, the current pace of improvement is not sufficient to achieve the goal of halving the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. To counteract this, the Commission is calling for closer cooperation between EU institutions, Member States and local authorities.

Key messages of the report

In 2024, 19,940 people died on the roads of the European Union (EU) – 440 fewer than in 2023. This represents a decrease of 12 per cent compared to 2019, the reference year for the 2030 target. The required annual decline of 4.6 per cent could not be achieved. According to the report, road traffic accidents continue to impose high economic and social costs, estimated at around 2 per cent of the EU's gross domestic product. In addition, up to 100,000 people suffer life-changing injuries every year. The number of road traffic accidents varies considerably between Member States, and the Commission therefore sees the need for targeted measures across Europe.

Measures and priorities

To increase road safety in Europe, the European Commission is calling for greater coordination between EU institutions, Member States and local authorities. The report names five priority areas for action:

1. Promoting infrastructure security and intelligent transport systems,
2. Strengthening enforcement of traffic rules,
3. Promoting modern vehicle safety technologies,
4. Taking account of new forms of mobility,
5. Promoting road safety research.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, recognises significant progress but emphasises that the measures presented in the areas of action must be implemented more rapidly in the Member States and reaffirmed the Commission's support in this regard.

Relevance for German Social Insurance

The results of the report are of central importance for social security. Commuting accidents are among the most common work-related accidents that require reporting and cause a significant proportion of accident, rehabilitation and follow-up costs. Improvements in general road safety therefore have a direct impact on the number and severity of insured accidents.

The measures announced at EU level – such as safer infrastructure, better enforcement of traffic rules and modern vehicle safety systems – complement and strengthen national prevention strategies. They create a binding framework that supports the prevention work of accident insurance, particularly in the areas of behaviour prevention, technical safety and safe mobility on the way to and from work and school.

At the same time, the report emphasises that road safety can only be effectively improved through the interaction of EU policy, national authorities, social security providers and companies. The EU initiative thus contributes to promoting the common goals of prevention, health protection and sustainable financing of social security systems.