If traffic rules were thoroughly checked and sanctioned, more than 14 000 lives could be saved and 680 000 injuries avoided on European roads each year. This would go a long way towards achieving the EU's objective of cutting the number of road deaths by 20 000 until the year 2010, especially as these important benefits can be reaped in a fairly short period of time.
Following the publication of its Road Safety Action Programme, the Commission published a Recommendation to the Member States on how to improve their enforcement policies. EU countries are asked to apply in a national enforcement plan what is known to be best practice in the enforcement of speed, alcohol and seat belt legislation.
Given the importance of this measure, ETSC has launched in 2004 a programme to monitor progress made in EU Member States in terms of improving traffic law enforcement. ETSC has assessed and compared their efforts and continues to report on its findings regularly to keep the item on the agenda.
ETSC aims to promote best practice not only regarding traffic law enforcement carried out by the police, but also through "self-enforcing" cars and roads. Our programme therefore focuses on all three pillars of enforcement policymaking (and transport safety policymaking in general):
The user: Traditionally, enforcement is understood as police enforcement, ensuring compliance with traffic rules. Police enforcement actions should be planned, monitored and evaluated according to the Commission Recommendation.
The vehicle: Enforcement technologies such as alcohol interlocks, seat belt reminders or intelligent speed adaptation devices have an important role to play in securing compliance with key traffic rules. Their implementation requires additional awareness and support from car makers.
The infrastructure: Ensuring appropriate road user behaviour is also a question of efficient enforcement design, i.e. of constructing self-enforcing roads. There are good examples from Member States that should be identified and promoted amongst policymakers across Europe.
Policy Paper
Traffic Law Enforcement Across the EU - Time for a Directive Full report |
12 March 2007 |
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Seat Belt Reminders - Implementing advanced safety Full Report |
02 November 2006 |
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Intelligent Speed Assistance - Myths and Reality Full Report |
24 May 2006 |
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Traffic Law Enforcement across the EU - An Overview Full Report Country pages |
05 May 2006 |
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In-Car Enforcement Technologies Today Full Report |
17 October 2005 |
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The Safety of Vulnerable Road Users in the Southern, Eastern and Central European Countries (The "SEC Belt") Full Report |
25 February 2005 |
Newsletter
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Newsletters 2004 Enforcement Monitor 1 |
27 November 2006 |
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Newsletters 2005 Enforcement Monitor 2 Enforcement Monitor 3 Enforcement Monitor 4 |
27 November 2006 |
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Newsletters 2006 Enforcement Monitor 5 Enforcement Monitor 6 Enforcement Monitor 7 Enforcement Monitor 8 |
27 November 2006 |
