Honda signs European Safety Charter

Honda has become a founding signatory of the European Road Safety Charter, a major part of the European Commission's plan to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2010.

As market leader in the European motorcycle market, Honda has committed to a significant increase in the availability of its Advanced Braking System, an important safety development for motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. By 2007, the majority of its products will be equipped with this system.

Yasuhisa Maekawa, Vice President of Honda Motor Europe and President of Honda R&D Europe commented, "Honda is a mobility company manufacturing both cars and motorcycles, so safety for all road users is a priority for us. We have already brought many safety initiatives to the European market, especially in the field of pedestrian protection as the Euro NCAP results demonstrate. Now we are committed to a significant increase in the application of our Advanced Braking System so that our motorcycle customers benefit from this important safety technology."

Honda's Advanced Braking Systems for motorcycles are brake systems in which either Anti-Lock Brake Systems and / or Combined (or linked) Brake Systems are present.

Each year nearly 40,000 people are killed on Europe's roads and according to CARE (EU Road Accident Database) some 17% of all fatalities are motorcyclists (motorcycles, scooters, mopeds).

Honda has other major initiatives on motorcycle safety, especially rider training. In 1998, Honda UK's MAC (Motorcycle Appreciation Course) Rider Training Scheme won the Prince Michael Road Safety Award. In addition, Honda manufactures riding simulators, which provide virtual real-world training experience for riders to learn about potential hazards and craft their skills in the safety of an electronic simulator. In Germany Honda has a major initiative with its simulators and several are now with the ADAC.

For cars, Honda leads the way in overall occupant and pedestrian safety as evidenced in the Euro NCAP ratings. In addition the company has been developing new safety technologies in relation to rear end accidents and crashes between cars of different sizes.

Issued 21 April