Road safety: deal for modern EU driving licence rules
Negotiators from Parliament and the Council have reached an agreement on new EU driving licence rules aimed at improving road safety, addressing the nearly 20,000 fatalities that occur annually on EU roads. Key components of the agreement include the introduction of a mobile driving licence, which will be accessible via smartphones using EU-wide digital wallet technology. Member states will have five and a half years to implement these changes, although drivers can still request a physical licence.
Additionally, a probation period will be established for new drivers, along with regulations for accompanied driving to enhance practical experience. Training requirements will also be updated, ensuring that new drivers are better prepared for real driving situations. This includes education on safe phone usage while driving, awareness of blind spots, familiarity with driver-assistance systems, safe door-opening practices, and techniques for driving in adverse weather conditions like snow and slippery surfaces. Overall, these measures aim to cultivate greater risk awareness and improve the safety of all road users, particularly vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists.
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MOBILIANS’s Road Safety Lunch-Debate in Paris
On March 19th, the lunch debate organized by MOBILIANS ESR took place in Paris, dedicated to the theme “Protecting all road users for a safe sharing of the road network”, in the presence of Florence Guillaume (Inter-ministerial Delegate for Road Safety).
Some EFA delegates had the honour of participating in the event and gave their contribution by describing the European situation, the state of the art of European management and highlighting some of the best European practices, without underlining the need to introduce mandatory theoretical training on road safety at European level, which is difficult to assess through a multiple choice exam test.
A true moment of sharing experiences between professionals, parliamentarians and local elected representatives, this lunch was an opportunity to reflect on safer mobility for the French and to strengthen our determination to continue our joint efforts.
This is an opportunity for MOBILIANS to reiterate its strong proposals to transform roads into more harmonious spaces for all:
- Include mandatory theoretical training in the initial training for the issuing of a driving license: raising awareness among drivers of risky behaviors is a subject in itself that requires a specific, collective and in-person module, implemented in particular using the new technologies available to driving schools, such as interactive screens and simulators.
- Generalize a post-license course for all drivers starting from the 6th month after obtaining the license: the first months of driving are the riskiest, habit leads to a decrease in vigilance, “good practices” and drivers must adapt to changes in society (in particular the development of new forms of mobility that lead to a new sharing of the road).
MOBILIANS calls for the strengthening of training content not to be at the expense of social and territorial equity in access to the driving license!
Déjeuner-débat sur la sécurité routière des Mobiliens à Paris
Le 19 mars dernier s’est tenu à Paris un déjeuner-débat organisé par MOBILIANS ESR sur le thème “Protéger tous les usagers de la route pour un passage de l’itinéraire en toute sécurité”, en présence de Florence Guillaume (Déléguée Interministérielle à la Sécurité Routière).
Certains délégués de l’EFA ont eu l’honneur d’assister à l’événement et ont apporté leur contribution en décrivant la situation européenne, l’état de l’art de la directive européenne et en rapportant certaines bonnes pratiques européennes, ainsi qu’en réitérant la nécessité d’introduire au niveau européen une formation théorique obligatoire sur les questions de sécurité routière qui sont difficiles à évaluer à travers un simple questionnaire.
Véritable moment de partage d’expériences entre professionnels, parlementaires et habitants, cette pause nous permet de réfléchir en faveur d’une mobilité plus sécurisée pour les Français et de renforcer notre détermination à poursuivre nos efforts communs.
L’occasion pour MOBILIANS de mettre en avant ses propositions fortes pour transformer les parcours en espaces plus harmonieux pour tous :
- Inclure une formation théorique obligatoire dans la formation initiale au permis de conduire : la sensibilisation des conducteurs aux comportements à risque est un sujet fondamental qui nécessite un module collectif et présentiel spécifique, notamment élaboré à l’aide des nouvelles technologies développées par les auto-écoles, comme les écrans interactifs et les simulateurs.
- Générer un stage post-permis pour tous les conducteurs à partir du 6ème mois après l’obtention du permis de conduire : les premiers mois de conduite sont les plus risqués, l’habitude comporte une baisse de vigilance, des « bonnes pratiques », et les conducteurs doivent s’adapter aux évolutions sociétales (notamment le développement de nouvelles formes de mobilité qui incluent un nouveau partage du trajet).
MOBILIANS appelle ses adhérents à veiller à ce que le renforcement des contenus de formation ne se fasse pas au détriment de l’équité sociale et territoriale dans l’accès au permis de conduire !
EFA at UNECE meeting
On March 11st, EFA took part in the 90th Global Forum for Road Safety at the United Nations Palace in Geneva. EFA’s presentation focused on the new project to export best practices in car and motorcycle instructor training, within an EFA certification path.
Some proposals for joint training for driving instructors and examiners and for motorcycle driving instructors were presented, given the requests received from several non-EU countries.
The interventions of Mr. Edoardo Mazzia of Fred Engineering on some of the road safety projects underway in low and mid income countries and of Mr. Paolo Perego (University of Milan) and Mr. Ignacio Lijiarcio (University of Valencia) on the role of traffic psychology in driving training an were highly appreciated.
Mr. Perego highlights the importance of the collaboration with EFA in the field of training the trainers: “Road accidents are not just about infrastructure or vehicle standards, they are shaped by risk perception, decision-making and personal responsibility. In many countries, outdated licensing systems and a risk culture contribute to preventable tragedies. To improve road safety, behavioural science must be integrated into driving education, interventions must be adapted using real-time data and a culture of shared responsibility must be fostered. A holistic approach, taking into account human behaviour together with engineering and enforcement, can help create safer roads for all.”
The next meeting with UNECE should be the extraordinary session of WP.1 in Bangkok, the first week of June 2025.
Manuel Picardi, Edoardo Mazzia, Luciana Iorio e Paolo Perego
EFA participates to CCAM event
On March 25th EFA attended the CCAM seminar to learn about the new European Project Calls to participate in next autumn. During the interesting day of meetings with the scientific researchers, EFA had the opportunity to introduce and to make itself available to participate in new consortia. Based on the experience gained with the participation in several European projects (Simusafe and FitDrive) in recent years, EFA proposed itself for the Cluster dedicated to the human factor and the Cross-Clusters of the interaction between man and vehicle, where it is expected the need to create a specific training curricula to be used when drivers need to regain partial control of the vehicle in case of vehicle malfunction. In recent years EFA has specialized in data collection on the multiple training systems in Europe, in the development of new teaching methodologies, the introduction of new training modules and the dissemination of the results obtained through advertising campaigns and the organization of dedicated events (such as the recent events organized at the European Parliament).
The European Road Hauliers Association (UETR) presents a new Pledge
A new study has been completed by the European Secure Truck Parking Organisation (ESPORG) in collaboration with Panteia and TIS for the European Commission, focusing on the availability of safe and secure parking areas (SSPAs) for professional drivers. This study aims to evaluate the current state of rest facilities and identify strategies to improve the number and quality of secure parking options available to drivers.
The research was conducted as a follow-up to the Mobility Package 1 provisions, specifically Article 8a of Regulation 2020/1054, which requires a report by December 31, 2025, on the availability of suitable rest facilities and secure parking areas. To gather comprehensive insights, approximately 1,400 drivers and companies were interviewed, and discussions were held with key stakeholders, including operators, authorities, insurance companies, and shippers. These discussions covered a wide range of topics, such as diversity, innovation, connectivity, crime, illegal immigration, and the green transition.
Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG, expressed pride in the organization’s role in this landmark study, which offers a series of recommendations for both immediate and long-term improvements. The recommendations are directed at European institutions, EU Member States, and road transport social partners, aiming to enhance the conditions for professional drivers through legislative and practical measures.
You can view the results of the study here:
https://move-c1-2017-500.eu-study.eu/results
UETR Marco Di Gioia
UETR Marco Di Gioia
ETSC: Reducing Serious Injuries on European Roads Report
The latest ETSC report provides an in-depth assessment of serious road traffic injuries across Europe and presents key recommendations to enhance road safety for both national governments and the EU. The Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) programme, which underpins this report, serves as a vital policy tool to assist national governments and the European Union in their efforts to improve road safety across 32 participating countries, including the 27 Member States of the EU, as well as Israel, Norway, the Republic of Serbia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Download the report here: http://etsc.eu/pinflash48
16th ITS European Congress in Seville on 19th of May
Join 3,500 ITS experts at the 16th ITS European Congress, and secure your early bird pass today. Be part of a dynamic event where knowledge sharing, innovation and collaborations take centre stage. Start to plan for an inspiring journey into the future of mobility.
The programme offers expert-led sessions diving into key trends, providing a comprehensive look at the future of mobility. The bustling exhibition hall is the perfect environment to connect with industry leaders, while live demonstrations and technical visits allow you to experience emerging technologies firsthand.
Read more and register at
https://email.maaaipartner.com/q/12JMbzdP0DGjpcie7JLbog2g/wv
