| National Charter Tour

 

Mr. Martin Åström, Head of Information at the EC Representation in Denmark, will introduce this National Charter Tour. Mr. Lars Barfoed, MP, Danish Minister for Transport, will discuss road safety policies in Denmark, and Mrs. Isabelle Kardacz, Head of the Road Safety Unit of the European Commission, will address the direction of road safety in Europe.

 

Denmark is one of best performing countries in the EU with regards to road safety. The number of traffic fatalities on Danish roads fell by over 20% between 2008 and 2009[1]. In collaboration with the European Road Safety Charter, the Danish government intends to build on these accomplishments. In order to meet targets set out in the Danish Road Safety Commission's joint national action plan for 2012, the number of fatal and heavy casualties must be reduced to a maximum of 200 fatal casualties and 3.950 heavy casualties within the next two years.

 

The main causes of traffic fatalities and injuries on Danish roads are speed, drink driving, distractions, and not wearing seatbelts and helmets. Between 2007 and 2009, significant improvements were made in the use of biking helmets and increased safety for bikers and drivers in right-turn situations. These positive advancements must be built upon in order to meet the 2012 targets.

 

In 2008, 41 motorcyclists were killed on the Danish roads and 234 were seriously injured. These are the highest number in several years. The number of motorbikes in Denmark has increased from 95.000 to 144.000 over the past four years[2]. As a result, the Accident Investigation Board Denmark (Havarikommissionen) urges increasing campaign activities aimed at motorcyclists, improved technical requirements for motorcycles, increased police enforcement and safer roads with fewer trees and hedges.

 

By signing the European Road Safety Charter, Danish enterprises, associations, institutions, and local authorities, can make a crucial commitment to improving road safety. They will be warmly welcomed into Europe’s largest community of road safety practitioners with one common goal to reduce fatalities and accidents on Europe’s roads. Each commitment is published on the Charter website and the signatories are actively encouraged to exchange best practices and participate in the new Danish Charter web community. 

 

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