EC acts on driving traumas
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The European Community gave a green light this week to an 284 million research programme which aims to take the trauma out of long-distance driving and improve road safety. DRIVE — Dedicated Road Infrastructure for Vehicle safety in Europe — won backing from ministers earlier this week in Luxembourg.
Scientists and traffic experts will be working on systems which can monitor the alertness of drivers; provide them with information and help plan routes; inform them of hazards ahead and their distance from other vehicles, and keep track of the whereabouts of vehicles using the roads (in order for them to be charged tolls for that use).
Hi-tech equipment will also regulate traffic flows and record accidents.
The European Commission wants to develop common systems for use in all member states, staring early next year.
Wasted time and fuel due to congestion and poor routeing is estimated to cost Europe about 214 billion per year.