Evolution of road transport and of road mobility - 3/4: road and vehicle safety (1960s to 2025)
This production explores the evolution of road and vehicule safety in Europe, from the 1960s to 2025, through a selection of audiovisual archives from the media library of the European Commission. Presented without commentary, this compilation highlights the progressive development of safety standards, regulations, infrastructures, vehicles, and driving practices over more than five decades. The footage documents the transformation of road environments, including the introduction of new signage systems, motorway safety features, roundabouts, crash barriers, pedestrian facilities, and traffic management measures designed to improve the safety of all road users. It also illustrates the evolution of vehicle safety through crash tests, seatbelt demonstrations, child restraint systems, airbags, technical inspections, driving schools, and increasingly sophisticated safety technologies. By observing roads, vehicles, drivers, infrastructure, and safety measures across different periods, this production offers a visual testimony to the continuous efforts undertaken to improve road safety and mobility throughout Europe from the 1960s to the present day.