Vision Zero: latest road safety research and initiatives from Brake

Global initiatives Policy: European Parliament backs life-saving vehicle standards A committee of Members of the European Parliament has voted through a range of new mandatory vehicle safety standards that could apply to new vehicle models within three years. The measures include new crash testing requirements, advanced driver assistance systems including automated emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance, and a new direct vision standard for lorries and buses to enable drivers to have a better view of other road users around their vehicle. Introduction of the new standards could prevent 25,000 deaths on roads across Europe over 15 years. Learn more: Visit the European Commission website for a full list of the new safety features.

Vulnerable road users Research: Secondary school students miss out on road safety education A new report from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) reveals that road safety education for secondary school students is limited, despite the increased risk of road death for young people older than 13. The study, which looked at traffic safety and mobility education across Europe, revealed that road safety education differs widely across EU states, with only the Czech Republic, Ireland and Germany teaching road safety at all levels of primary and secondary school education. Little is known about the effectiveness of road safety education, even though it is considered a crucial part of the integrated approach to traffic safety. ETSC recommends that all road safety education programmes should undergo robust evaluation. Vehicles Policy: New guidance for motorcycle taxis New guidance to improve safety within the motorcycle taxi industry in central Africa has been launched by The Research for Community Access Project (ReCAP). ReCAP has developed manuals to improve the training of motorcycle taxi riders and the operations of motorcycle taxi organisations. ​The manuals give best practice guidance for organisations operating in rural regions, where motorcycle taxis play a crucial role in connecting people to services.  Sustainability Research: ‘Dieselgate’ analysis reveals gap between fuel use and emissions A new review of the VW ‘Dieselgate’ scandal suggests that the real-world emissions tests can still be cheated by vehicle manufacturers. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) analysed the European Union’s new vehicle emissions testing procedures that were introduced in the wake of the scandal. ECA’s report highlights an increasing gap between fuel use and vehicle emissions that makes it difficult for consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing a new vehicle. It recommends that independent remote sensing should be used to identify vehicles that exceed legal emission limits. Drivers Research: Risk of hands-free phone calls same as handheld Using a hands-free phone while driving increases crash risk by a factor of four, according to new research from the University of Sussex. The study confirmed that making a hands-free phone call while driving is just as dangerous as using a handheld device, highlighting that common misconceptions about the safety of hands-free devices must be addressed to reduce crashes caused by driver distraction.