THE newly-appointed EU Transport Commissioner has put road safety as the top of his priority list.

Jacques Barrot said it was vital the European Commission's Road Safety Action Plan succeeded and it would be reviewed at the halfway point in 2005.

This EC commitment aims to halve the number of road deaths across Europe by 2010. Speaking at a 'Sharing the Road Safely' event organised by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), Barrot said: 'I will remain in close dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure we succeed. We should no longer have to tolerate the consequences of road accidents. Let's save thousands of lives between now and 2010.' The one-day conference included representatives from the automotive and transport sectors who discussed commercial vehicle-related safety aspects and to discuss what challenges might lay ahead.

ACEA CV chairman Leif Johansson highlighted the role that road transport plays in the 'proper functioning of the European Union'. He added: 'In addition to vehicles, we must also consider the other two dimensions of the road safety problem: infrastructure and road user behaviour. Safety issues need to be tackled through an integrated approach involving strong cooperation between all stakeholders - public authorities, industry and all road users.'