Vision Zero: latest road safety research and initiatives from Brake

Global initiatives Policy: European leaders agree to lifesaving vehicle technology From 2022, all new cars, vans, lorries and buses sold in Europe will be fitted with a range of lifesaving vehicle safety features, according to a provisional agreement between EU institutions. Vehicle manufacturers will be required to fit technology that helps prevent crashes, such as autonomous emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance, in all new vehicles as standard. A new ‘direct vision’ standard will enable lorry and bus drivers to have a better view of other road users around their vehicle. Experts believe the measures provide the biggest leap forward for road safety this century, perhaps even since the introduction of the seatbelt. The standards still need formal approval from the European Parliament and EU Member States. Find out more: A list of the lifesaving technologies that will soon be fitted as standard in the EU is available here. Policy: UN road safety strategy embraces Safe Systems approach A new road safety strategy from the United Nations embraces the Safe Systems approach to reducing road risk and emphasises the need to manage the relationship between speed, vehicles, roads and road user behaviour in an holistic manner. ‘A partnership for safer journeys’ underlines the commitment from all UN organisations to a single road safety vision – to prevent deaths or serious injury from crashes involving UN vehicles and/or staff. Initiative: Vietnam commits to crash prevention goals at first Round the World Roundtable Vietnam has committed to increase cycle helmet wearing among children at the first Round the World Roundtable event in Hanoi, Vietnam, earlier this month. The Vietnamese government also agreed to enforce compliance with quality standards for cycle helmets, and ban counterfeit helmets that do not meet the required standards. The UPS Foundation, a founding member of the roundtables initiative, has pledged that it would donate US$1 million to support child helmet use and increase road safety skills and awareness in Vietnam, Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia. Round the World Roundtables are organised by the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety to encourage and support commitment to UN road safety performance targets.

Sustainability Policy: Safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) has urged governments in developing countries to invest in pedestrians and cyclists, to save lives, protect the environment and improve air quality. In its annual report for the United Nations Share the Road programme, UN Environment recognised that the mobility needs of people who walk and cycle often go overlooked, and highlighted an urgent need for infrastructure developments to encourage people to choose healthier transport alternatives instead of driving. Event: The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles Nearly 40 members of the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) met in Paris this month to review progress in promoting cleaner fuels and vehicles in low- and middle-income countries. Attendees said they were satisfied with progress made in to introduce cleaner fuels in many developing countries, but voiced concerns that the pace of introducing cleaner vehicle technologies was too slow. Hosted by UN Environment, the meeting brought together partners from the oil and vehicle industry, non-governmental organisations, academia and representatives from developed and developing countries. Stakeholders also discussed the need for a joined-up approach to align PCFV goals with targets to address climate change.   Policy: Air quality and public health Public Health England has made recommendations to tackle air pollution in the UK, which is estimated to contribute to between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths every year. The recommendations emphasise the importance of redesigning cities to support active and sustainable travel, and encouraging the uptake of low-emission vehicles, so that people can live and travel in a safe and healthy environment, free from harm from road traffic and air pollution. Vehicles Initiative: Independent vehicle emissions testing A new independent vehicle testing programme will provide information about the emissions and efficiency of vehicles on sale in Europe. Green NCAP, hosted by Euro NCAP, will carry out laboratory-based and on-road tests to determine the quality of emissions and sustainability of the vehicle. Vehicles will be given a star-rating between zero and five (from worst to best) to highlight poor performance or recognise manufacturers whose vehicles reach standards beyond the minimum legislative requirements. Star-ratings for 12 new vehicles were announced at the launch of programme. Initiative: Connected and autonomous vehicles Road safety experts and representatives from the vehicle manufacturing industry have created an online platform to give road safety experts information about connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) being trialled for road use. The result of a collaboration between stakeholders including RoadSafe, TRL and the Road Safety Foundation, the CAV Safety Hub will provide insights into how CAVs operate and interact with other road users, dispel common misconceptions and share updates on CAVs from around the world. Road safety events April 2019 8–13 April 2019 Sixth Global Meeting of Nongovernmental Organizations Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims Organisers: Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety Location: Chania, Greece 10–11 April 2019 Safer City Streets Network: 5th meeting Organiser: International Transport Forum Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina