Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission agrees that addressing driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is crucial. Alcohol-related incidents account for around a quarter of road deaths in the Union[1]. The Commission supports platforms like the High-Level Group on Road Safety for sharing best practices among Member States and the EU Road Safety Exchange facilitates learning between Member States on enforcing drink and drug-driving laws, including using alcohol interlocks. Directive (EU) 2015/413[2] covers drink and drug-driving offences, allowing easier punishment of non-resident offenders. The proposed Directive on the Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications aims to extend driving bans for such offences across the EU under certain circumstances. Addressing drug-impaired driving is also one of the priorities of the EU Drugs Strategy[3] and its related Action Plan 2021-2025[4], which call for the implementation of measures raising awareness of the risks of driving while impaired by drugs and further research and innovation of on-site drug detection tools.
2. The rising number of fatal crashes involving electric scooters is also a matter of concern to the Commission. While setting traffic rules is primarily a matter for the Member States, the Commission has supported the publication of guidance for the safe use of personal mobility devices[5] which offers suggestions and good practices to local authorities. A recent study[6] suggests a universal technical approval system for such devices, and the Commission is considering how best to follow up on those recommendations.
- [1] https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/bd2408b2-64ce-44a8-a4ca-d7820c7c91ba_en?filename=ERSO-TR-alcohol_drugs_2023.pdf
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2015/413/oj/eng
- [3] EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025, OJ C 102I, 24.3.2021, p. 1.
- [4] EU Drugs Action Plan 2021-2025, OJ C 272, 8.7.2021, p. 2-28.
- [5] https://urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-urban-mobility-plans/expert-corner-sump-reference-materials_en
- [6] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4286a092-a55f-11ef-85f0-01aa75ed71a1