EU introduces new road safety rules

European roads should be safer from Thursday when a whole slew of new safety rules come into force, part of efforts to cut auto accident deaths by 50 percent by 2020.

Mandatory requirements include safety belt reminders, easier child seat fixing points, reinforced rear passenger seats to protect against shifting luggage in the boot and tyre pressure sensors, the European Commission said Wednesday.

"We are working hard to improve the safety of European drivers, passengers and road users in general," said EU commissioner for industry Antonio Tajani.

"These new measures will substantially increase the level of safety by reducing the likelihood and consequences of accidents. This will be a tangible achievement of the European Union."

All the measures are mandatory on new vehicle types from Thursday and will be enforced industry-wide from 2014.

EU figures show that some 31,000 people died in road accidents last year in the 27 member states, falling steadily from 54,000 in 2001 but still representing a huge loss of life.

(c) 2012 AFP