Road traffic accidents remain one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. In 2024, approximately 19,800 people were killed on EU roads, a 3% decrease from the previous year. However, progress towards the EU’s Vision Zero target — halving road deaths by 2030 — remains too slow. Serious injuries still number in the millions annually across Europe.
Within the military, road safety poses unique and ongoing challenges. Armed Forces personnel operate in demanding environments — from urban deployments to rural training areas, often with specialized or armored vehicles. These conditions increase the risk of traffic-related incidents, both during operations and off duty.
While current, precise statistics specific to military road accidents are limited, earlier European studies estimated over 1,500 Armed Forces personnel killed and 21,000 injured between 2004 and 2008 alone. This reality underlines the urgent need for continued training, collaboration, and innovation in military mobility and safety.
Vision Zero: Our Guiding Principle
The European Commission for Road Safety in the Armed Forces (ECRAF) was established in 2002 as an open, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing road safety within European Armed Forces, including during international missions.
ECRAF and all its member nations have adopted Vision Zero as their guiding principle:
No one should be killed or seriously injured in traffic.
This is not only a moral commitment — it is an operational necessity. The loss of personnel in preventable traffic incidents is unacceptable. Road safety is critical to both readiness and responsibility.
What We Do
ECRAF works to:
- Promote the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and innovations between member nations
- Analyze military road traffic statistics and identify trends
- Develop recommendations, training strategies, and safety education programs
- Foster a common understanding of road safety as essential to mission success
- Collaborate with civilian agencies and international experts in the field
ECRAF is open to all Armed Forces in Europe. Membership is approved by the General Assembly following a formal application and acceptance of the Statutes, Strategy, and Action Plan. National road safety organizations and international experts may also be invited to participate in ECRAF events and congresses.
A Shared Responsibility
As we look ahead to the 2025 Congress in Salzburg, we call for renewed engagement from all members. Together, through collaboration, shared insight, and unwavering commitment, we move closer to our collective goal:
Zero fatalities. Zero serious injuries. Maximum operational readiness.
Alban Velia
President
European Commission for Road Safety in Armed Forces 