JRC concerned about road safety
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) wants to cooperate with the Trans-European Network EuroNCAP in the testing of cars in the development of safety, according to Commissioner Neil Kinnock at a press launch on 26 January 1999 to announce the results of the latest phase of crash testing by the European New Car Assessment programme (EuroNCAP). There are nearly 45,000 deaths-a-year caused by accidents on the roads of the 15 member States of the European Union, according to EuroNCAP. "For every obvious reason of humanity and for less obvious but economically significant reason of cost, those casualties must be reduced. And they can be," said Commissioner Kinnock. He praised the tests performed by the EuroNCAP and said injuries could be prevented if all cars are manufactured to their best level of safety in their size category. "EuroNCAP has helped to bring a major and welcome change in the car-manufacturing industry's attitude to designing for vehicle occupant safety," he said. However, he also emphasised that there are still issues that need to be resolved, including the development of a crash barrier that replicates heavier car crashes more effectively. "The Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is keen to be involved and discussions so far have identified a 'Europe first' role that supports the development of good, compatible crashworthiness structures for the European auto industry," said Commissioner Kinnock. EuroNCAP is backed by the Commission, the Dutch, Swedish and British governments and motoring and consumer organisations across Europe.