In Europe, from 1972 to 1985, the number of killed people was reduced by 37% whilst the number of vehicles increased by 56%. But, since 1985, progress has stagnated.

The PSA research plan “PSA For a Safer Road” aims at reducing by half, between now and the year 2000, the number of road accident victims by taking a global, rigorous, innovative, voluntary and concerted approach, bringing together the driver, the highway infrastructure and the vehicle.

This approach comprises 4 sectors entitled:​

• KNOWLEDGE to better understand the causes and consequences of accidents as well as the driver’s physiological and psychological behaviour;​
• PREVENTION to eliminate as far as possible risk situations by having a safe infrastructure and properly trained drivers, and by adopting a convivial driving style with safe, comfortable vehicles in good condition;​
• AVOIDANCE to ensure that in a risk situation the accident does not occur. This avoidance is based on driver assistance programmes and dialogue between the vehicles and the infrastructure;​
• PROTECTION to ensure maximum limitation, in the event of an accident, of consequences to the people involved by better protecting vehicle occupants and reducing the aggressive nature of the road environment and that of vehicles towards pedestrians and bicycle users.