Nations Trebling Road Expenditure
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QIX countries trebled their road expenditure in 1958 compared with the annual average for 1952-56, and five others more than doubled it. This is noted in the annual report of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport. The number of vehicles in the countries concerned would probably be 29m. by the end of 1960, more than 60 per cent, greater than in 1956.
Last October the council of Ministers were invited to take sample surveys of national road goods transport, because of the importance placed upon the improvement of statistics by the Organization for European Economic Co-operation. International coach transport would also be studied.
There seemed to be a growing desire among several countries to resolve problems arising from the disparity between different national regulations concerning vehicle weights and dimensions. These affected the development of international transport and the manufacture and marketing of vehicles.
Special Study A group of the E.C.M.T., who were making a special study of these difficulties, had to consider the time needed for existing unstandardized equipment to biz amortized, and for manufacturers to bring out new designs.
About 45,000 people were killed and 1.2m. injured each year in the E.C.1v1.T. countries, and the total cost of accidents in many of then, was 0.5-1 per cent. of the gross national product.
The report states that the extent of the responsibility of heavy vehicles in fatal accidents was to be given particular study. Commercial vehicles might be subject to special regulations to promote safety on certain highways which were congested during the tourist season.
Co-ordination of safety rules could lead to the compilation of a European Highway Code, says the report. It is available from the secretariat of the E.C.M.T.. 3 rue Andre-Pascal, Paris. 16e, France.