news

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has called for a minimum standardisation of markings, traffic lights and traffic signs for pedestrian crossings where it is claimed that one quarter of 8,000 pedestrians deaths occur in Europe.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is a worldwide federation of Motoring and Touring Clubs.

FIA reported that the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) and 16 partner clubs have executed the pedestrian crossing assessment programme in the framework of the EuroTest consortium under the umbrella of the FIA European Bureau for the second consecutive year. The assessment 2009 clearly showed that more crossings had been rated negatively comparing to last year results.

310 pedestrian crossings in 31 European cities covering different types of crossings have been tested looking at the crossings system, accessibility, daytime and night time visibility. Even pedestrian crossings with traffic lights might prove risky and decrease the level of safety when the set-up and design of the crossing is not fine-tuned. FIA reported that an ultimate improvement in many countries could be performed via the “flashing green” as a transitional phase between the stable green and red light, which would enable people to make decisions based on their own physical condition. This together with the countdown devices as well as new technological solutions including an introduction of the LED-based traffic lights providing better visibility especially at night could prevent many accidents in the future. These steps are especially important in light of an improvement of living conditions for people with disabilities and the aging society in Europe.

For detailed results of the Pedestrian Crossings Assessment 2009 and for clubs contacts visit: http://www.eurotestmobility.com