Road safety statistics traditionally focus on road fatalities. Yet, deaths are only the tip of the iceberg: for every person killed in a traffic accident, many more suffer serious, life-changing injuries. Serious injuries are not only more common but are often more costly, too, for society because of the resulting long-term rehabilitation and healthcare needs.

EU targets for road deaths have been an important driver for the dramatic reductions noted in many EU countries. A European target for reducing serious road injuries is a simple, cheap and necessary step. Moreover, there is a strong economic case for this. Estimates show that, if all serious injuries recorded in 2010 could have been prevented, the benefits to society would have exceeded EUR 50 billion in that year.

Today, a common definition and improved data-collection methods are in place. In 2016, the latest injury data was received from 16 Member States which will enable country comparisons and the benchmarking of Member States’ development over time.