Abstract
The contribution is to give an outline on the present status of the Event Data Recording discussion in Europe. The main drivers are accident research organisations and road safety politicians: Next to emission reduction EC Commission and EP have a high interest in the reduction of road traffic casualties. In the past twenty years the EC Commission initiated a number of research projects relying on broad expert consortiums aiming at investigating into the prerequisites of EDR implementation with regard to road safety, technical and legal requirements.
Two of last two projects where called VERONICA. While VERONICA I (2005/06) was to collect the basic knowledge and experience in the fields of accident causation and investigation, data recording and quality, data extraction, data use and interpretation, target groups and impact on road safety, VERONICA II (2007/09) came up with detailed findings on data specifications and data use. What the EC is taking out of this can presently be found in the “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Towards a European Road Safety Area, Policy Orientations on Road Safety 2011-2020 - COM(2010) 389 final”, issued on July 20th, 2010. At present the European Parliament has this issue on its agenda.
While road safety researchers and EC politicians continue on their way for EDR it is noted that the automotive industry proceeds with the integration of electronic vehicle components for safety, liability and inspection purposes. How does this influence the political discussion? This contribution to the EAEC Congress 2011 will evaluate the present situation in Europe.