ETSC calls for more action on drink-driving

The executive director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has called for more action to eliminate drink-driving on Europe’s roads.

Speaking at the recent ‘Saving Lives Until 2020: Acting Together to Tackle Drink Driving’ conference, Antonio Avenoso (pictured) said that we “must all take action to reduce this unacceptable behaviour”.

Siim Kallas, European commissioner vice-president responsible for transport, echoed Mr Avenoso’s message in his keynote presentation.

He said: “It is unacceptable for 85 people to die every day on Europe’s roads. Alcohol-impaired road-users are still involved in about a quarter of all fatal crashes in Europe.

“This is a very worrying situation. But if we work together to raise awareness, to enforce the rules better and to change people’s driving habits, then we can truly make a difference in bringing down the number of road deaths.”

Tackling drink driving through the use of alcohol interlocks, police enforcement and rehabilitation schemes was at the top of the conference agenda.

Pasi Kemppainen, president of TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, said: “We believe everyone stopped by police should have an alcohol and drug test. Also, every driver involved in a collision should be tested. Legislation should allow random testing, and the police’s own road safety strategy should spell this out.”

For more information contact Mircea Steriu on +32 (0)2 230.41.06.