ETRMA Joins European Road Safety Charter

At the end of April the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA), the representative association for ten of the leading tyre companies operating in Europe, signed up to the European Road Safety Charter. The April 27 signing ceremony was chaired by European Commission vice-president Jacques Barrot in the presence of the Association’s president, Francesco Gori, vice-president Eric de Cromières and secretary general, Fazilet Cinaralp.

“Today I am pleased that at the time of Europe’s first Road Safety Day, the ETRMA has signed up to the Charter and is making strong commitments,” stated Mr. Barrot during the proceedings. “The Tyre Industry’s dedication represents an encouraging signal to achieving the European Road Safety Charter objectives.”

The European Road Safety Charter forms part of the European Commission’ goal to halve the number of road accidents victims by 2010. By signing the Charter, ETRMA has committed to initiate safety oriented education campaigns with its members’ employees, focusing upon drivers who use their vehicle for professional purposes. In certain Eastern European countries ETRMA will be able to benefit by becoming aware of existing “best practices” from the various national tyre safety campaigns promoted in Western Europe.

Mrs Cinaralp commented: “In becoming a signatory to the Charter, the ETRMA has demonstrated its continuous proactive involvement and initiatives to enhance security of road users and vehicles. There is much evidence that tyres are a key active safety element contributing to ensuring safer road use.“

Programs aimed at increasing knowledge about tyre safety will be initiated, including promoting road user safety to EU national authorities and insurance companies, publicising the necessity for vehicles to be equipped with winter tyres in winter conditions, and an emphasis on the minimum tread depth as laid down in national regulations.

A communication campaign based on tyre safety demonstrations will also be launched with authorities and road users to demonstrate the benefits of driving with tyres adjusted to their correct pressure.