A Europe-wide Road Safety Programme adopted yesterday by the EU Commission aims to cut road deaths in half over the next decade.
In 2009, more than 35,000 people died on the roads of the EU. For every death on Europe's roads there are an estimated four permanently disabling injuries such as damage to the brain or spinal cord, 10 serious injuries and 40 minor injuries.
The estimated economic cost to society is €130bn a year.