A study has been published which calls for the EU to set a target to reduce the number of people seriously injured in road collisions.

While official targets to reduce road deaths have been in place since 2001, there is no equivalent for serious injuries.

135,000 people were seriously injured on European roads in 2014, according to figures published by the European Commission for the first time in April. While the number of deaths on European roads has fallen dramatically over the last decade, serious injuries have declined at a much slower rate.

The new research, carried out for the European Commission, examined collision data and investigation outcomes from across Europe in an attempt to boost understanding of the most common collision situations that result in serious injuries. The key risk factors and victim profiles could help member states identify the best measures to reduce such collisions.

The study found that cyclists are most likely to be seriously injured when travelling in urban areas with 50 km/h speed limits – with more collisions occurring in summer months, and in the afternoon. Pedestrians are more at risk in winter months, with the elderly and children the most likely victims.

Seriously injured motorcyclists and car occupants are most likely to be male and young – though middle aged motorcyclists are also heavily represented in the collision statistics.

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said: “Serious injuries on our roads continue to have a devastating impact on millions of victims and their families. We know that EU targets, combined with the right measures have had a dramatic effect on reducing deaths. It’s essential that we now apply the same thinking to serious injuries. We have the data, and this new report highlights the situations and groups that would most benefit, so it’s time for the Commission to finally give the green light.â€

Click here to read the full report: Study on Serious Road Traffic Injuries in the EU