European road deaths exceeded 26,000 last year and increased for the first time since 2001, leading to calls this week for greater enforcement by police of traffic offences.

 

The European Transport Safety Council claimed that declines in the level of police enforcement are contributing to Europe’s failure to cut the numbers dying in road collisions. It added that the leading causes of death and serious injury across the continent are exceeding the speed limit, drink or distracted driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

 

“Cuts to police enforcement are doubly damaging,” said the European Transport Safety Council’s executive director Antonio Avenoso. “Fewer dangerous drivers are caught and the overall perception of the risk of being caught also decreases. While there is increasing pressure to reprioritise policing budgets across Europe it makes no sense to cut back on road safety.”

 

Data published from the European Transport Safety Council shows that across Europe there were 26,313 road deaths last year, up from 25,970 the previous year. In the UK there were 1854 road deaths last year, up from 1807 the year before. 

 

In terms of speed enforcement 12 countries across Europe increased the number of speeding tickets issued over five years, while eight registered a decrease. In the UK it is reported that the number of speeding tickets issued has fallen since 2010, but is starting to increase again.

 

In over half of the countries where data is available the number of tickets issued for using a mobile phone at the wheel had reduced over the last five years, suggesting lower levels of enforcement. Researchers also found that the number of alcohol checks have increased in seven European countries and decreased in seven. 

 

The European Transport Safety Council also found that in England and Wales the number of roads policing officers reduced by 23% from 2010 to 2014.

 

The UK’s Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety’s executive director David Davies said: “This report from the European Transport Safety Council shows the importance of adequate levels of enforcement to maintain road safety.”

 

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said: “Individual UK police forces decide themselves how best to allocate resources and keep people safe. Despite recent austerity measures we remain committed to enforcing the law on our roads network through national operations, local activity and modern technology.”

 

(Photo: West Midlands Police)