CER signs the European Road Safety Charter

Each year around 600 people die in accidents involving road vehicles and pedestrians colliding with trains at level crossings. Whilst this currently represents around 2% of road deaths in Europe with big differences between European countries, at the same time they account for around 30% of all rail accidents. It is a known fact that some 95% of these fatalities are caused by user behaviour and particularly the road drivers’ behaviour and pedestrians. However, society still regards these fatal accidents as a rail problem.

CER signed the European Road Safety Charter in March 2009, joining thereby the 1.500 signatories from rail and road organisation which already committed to reduce accidents and fatalities occurring on roads, and in particular at level crossings. CER is also a member of the European Level Crossing Forum, a confederation of European road and rail safety experts developing a joint understanding of the risks associated with level crossings and means of managing those risks. ELCF gathers more than 20 countries from Europe and beyond.