According to the EU–US Joint Statement on trade of August 21, 2025, the European Union is considering lowering vehicle safety standards in line with US. This directly puts the lives of European pedestrians and other road users at risk. 

Since 2010, the EU has seen a 36% reduction in road deaths. In the same period, the US saw a 30% increase in road deaths, with pedestrian deaths up by 80% and cyclist deaths up by 50%. This is despite the fact that Europeans walk and cycle more than Americans on a regular basis.

Safety standards for EU vehicles are stringent when it comes to vulnerable road users. By contrast, US vehicle safety standards focus almost exclusively on the risk to the occupants of the vehicle, with little concern for the danger to pedestrians, cyclists, or people in other vehicles. This has allowed the proliferation of oversized pickups and SUVs, and the consequent carnage among anyone who has to share the road with them. 

If we lower EU standards to match those of the US, we will see similar increases in the number of deaths and injuries on our roads, rolling back the improvements we have seen over recent decades. Many of these avoidable deaths and injuries will be among children.

For further information, see:

• 2025 10 Letter re EU intention to accept lower US car standards
• Keep these Stupid American Trucks out of Europe (video)

I urge EU policymakers to maintain the high standards that keep Europeans safe and alive, and to reject any proposals that would compromise this.