The
six times Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher
is supporting the launch of Europe’s Road Safety Charter
today (April 6) on the eve of the first global day
of action on road safety - World Health Day 2004. |
Michael
Schumacher is joining forces with the FIA Foundation
and transport ministers from across the European Union
at a signing ceremony in Dublin for the new European
Road Safety Charter, organised as part of the Irish
Presidency of the European Union. |
FIA
President Max Mosley and Michael Schumacher are key
note speakers at the launch of the Charter, which
calls on governments, companies and organisations
across the European Union (EU) to make a firm and
measurable commitment to improve road safety. The
EU has a target of reducing road deaths by 50% by
2010. |
Road
traffic deaths and injuries have fallen in all EU
member states over recent years, but the entry of
10 new countries threatens to halt the downward trend:
|
• In
the EU 15 countries road fatalities have fallen by
50% over the past 30 years, from 80,000 in 1972 to
40,000 in 2002; |
• France
recorded a 20% reduction in road deaths in 2003, following
a major political initiative by President Jacques
Chirac and the French Government to improve road safety; |
• After
a steep increase in road deaths in Central and Eastern
Europe in the early 1990’s, enlargement countries
have also seen a steady decline in road fatalities.
Last year, however, of the countries joining the EU
this year, Hungary saw a 15% increase in road fatalities
in 2002, with increases of 7% in the Czech Republic,
5% in Poland and 12% in Estonia (provisional figures).
|
FIA
Foundation projects and activities are at the core
of the European Union’s road safety strategy. These
include the car crash test programme Euro NCAP, credited
by the European Commission with preventing thousands
of deaths, and the European Road Assessment Programme
which rates roads for their safety design. The FIA
Foundation will also sign the European Road Safety
Charter at the ceremony in Dublin Castle. |
Max
Mosley, President of the FIA, said: |
“The
European Road Safety Charter is a welcome initiative,
but it takes more than signing a piece of paper to
show that you are serious about road safety. Everyone,
from the European Commission and national governments
to individual drivers must prove with actions that
they want to reduce the toll of deaths on our roads.” |
“At
European level we do need more focus on road safety,
with a dedicated road safety Commissioner concentrating
on road safety every hour of every day. In France
road deaths have fallen by 20% in one year because
President Chirac decided to take road safety seriously.
Most road deaths are preventable. Thousands of people
are being killed unnecessarily and we must have the
political will to stop it.” |
|
“Road
safety is a vital concern for everyone. As a professional
racing driver I demand and expect the highest possible
safety standards in my racing car and on the track.
We should all expect the same attention to safety
in our cars and on the roads. Initiatives like the
European Road Safety Charter and World Health Day
are important because they can raise the profile of
road safety and help to improve safety standards.” |
“As
a racing driver I am extremely concerned about safety
- not only on the race track, but also on the road.
I would not dream of starting a race without my seat
belt securely fastened, or of starting my car without
checking first that everybody travelling with me was
safe. It only takes a few conscious steps; a few seconds
thought and action, to ensure the highest possible
safety in a car.” |
European
Road Safety Charter Signing Ceremony
Tuesday 6th April 2004 |
| 11.00am Signing
Ceremony for European Road Safety Charter with EU Transport
ministers, Michael Schumacher and Max Mosley |
| 12.15pm Photocall
in Upper Courtyard, Dublin Castle |
| 12.30pm
Press Conference, St Georges Hall, Dublin Castle |
|
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