Latest news with #MattijsWijnmalen
Euronews
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Euronews
These are the most expensive toll routes in Europe for motorists
A new study names France as the continent's toll fee capital, with French routes claiming the top spot and five of the 10 most expensive tolls in Europe. Italy and Denmark follow closely, with toll fees of €68.30 and €54.00, respectively. A study by the European tollway seller, Tollwayr, analysed toll fees across European countries, examining costs for various motorways, tunnels and bridges to identify the most expensive routes for car drivers. France leads the list with the Eurotunnel crossing between France and the UK charging €72.00, making it the most expensive toll in Europe. The country also appears in the top five positions with its major motorway routes, including the Paris-Marseille route at €68.90. "What's particularly notable is that France doesn't just have one or two expensive routes – it consistently charges premium prices across its major highways and tunnels," said Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Tollwayr. "The country's extensive toll network reflects significant infrastructure investment, but also places a considerable financial burden on both local drivers and tourists." Italy ranks high on the list, with the Milan-Bari route costing drivers €68.30, making it the third most expensive toll in Europe. Denmark and Sweden both feature in the top ten, with the Øresundsbron bridge connecting the two countries, charging €54.00 from either side, making it the most expensive bridge toll in Europe. Croatia, while not in the top ten, has the most expensive tolls in Eastern Europe, charging €32.80. On the other hand, the United Kingdom's Warburton Bridge charges just €0.14, making it the least expensive toll in Europe, while Bosnia and Herzegovina's Svilaj-Odžak section costs only €0.61 for cars. Leaders of some of the world's biggest economic powers have arrived in the Canadian Rockies for a Group of Seven summit, overshadowed by an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and US President Donald Trump's unresolved trade war. Israel's strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation, which appeared to catch many world leaders unaware, is the latest sign of a more volatile world. Trump in recent days vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a US official said, in an indication of how far Israel was prepared to go. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed efforts to de-escalate the crisis with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders and said he expected 'intense discussions' would continue at the summit. As summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint statement, or communique, at the end of the meeting. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday that the bloc was committed to strengthening Ukraine, as the G7 leaders gathered to meet in Kananaskis, Canada for crucial talks. "To achieve peace through strength, we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table and to end this war," Von der Leyen said during a news conference ahead of meetings. She added that the summit will be "defined by geo-economics and geopolitics at the same time." "We need a frank discussion among the G7 partners, restoring a sense of stability and predictability among ourselves. That is the first priority," Von der Leyen said. Trump is the summit wild card. Looming over the meeting are his inflammatory threats to make Canada the 51st state and take over Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Greenland on Sunday for a symbolic stop on his way to Canada. Macron warned that Greenland is 'not to be sold' nor 'to be taken." With other leaders wanting to talk to Trump in an effort to talk him out of imposing tariffs, the summit risks being a series of bilateral conversations rather than a show of unity. Leaders who are not part of the G7 but have been invited to the summit by Carney include the heads of state of India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and the UAE. Avoiding tariffs will continue to be top of mind. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their bruising Oval Office encounter which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the US president. Starmer met with Carney in Ottawa before the summit for talks focused on security and trade, in the first visit to Canada by a British prime minister for eight years.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
From drunk driving to skipping the seatbelt: Which EU country has the most reckless drivers?
Latvia has been ranked as having the EU's highest quotient of reckless drivers, tallying with high road fatality rates of 75 deaths per million people each year and alarming levels of phone usage while driving. That's according to a new study by motorway toll seller that analysed six key metrics, including road fatality rates, drunk driving, speeding on freeways, driving while sleepy, phone use while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. Austria ranks second in the EU, with 22.1% of drivers admitting to driving after consuming alcohol. Greece rounds out the top three, with nearly 28% of its drivers failing to wear seatbelts — the highest rate in the EU. The data were gathered from the European Commission's official road fatality statistics and the Vias Institute's E-Survey of Road Users' Attitudes (ESRA). Finnish drivers have also shown some concerning behaviours, with over 40% talking on hand-held phones while driving — the highest rate among the countries surveyed. In Luxembourg, nearly four in 10 drivers admit to driving after consuming alcohol. "What's particularly alarming is that in countries like Luxembourg and Finland — nations known for their high standards of living and infrastructure — we're seeing extremely high rates of specific dangerous behaviours," said Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Vignette Switzerland. By contrast, Sweden has the lowest road fatality rate in Europe, with just 22 deaths per million inhabitants — significantly below the European average. Related London, Paris, Dublin: Which European city has the most congested roads? Despite these results, the European Commission reported a 3% year-on-year drop in EU road fatalities in 2024, reflecting 600 fewer lives lost across the bloc. However, the Commission believes this decline remains insufficient. "The overall pace of improvement remains too slow, and most Member States are not on track to meet the EU's goal of halving road deaths by 2030," said a press release published on 18 March. According to the Commission, rural roads continue to present the greatest risk, accounting for 52% of fatalities. Men represent the majority of road deaths (77%), while older adults (65+) and young people (18-24) are particularly vulnerable road users. Among different types of road users, car occupants account for the largest share of fatalities, followed by motorcyclists (20%), pedestrians (18%), and cyclists (10%). Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, make up nearly 70% of urban fatalities.
Euronews
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Euronews
From drunk driving to skipping the seatbelt: Which EU country has the most reckless drivers?
ADVERTISEMENT Latvia has been ranked as having the EU's highest quotient of reckless drivers, tallying with high road fatality rates of 75 deaths per million people each year and alarming levels of phone usage while driving. That's according to a new study by motorway toll seller that analysed six key metrics, including road fatality rates, drunk driving, speeding on freeways, driving while sleepy, phone use while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. Austria ranks second in the EU, with 22.1% of drivers admitting to driving after consuming alcohol. Greece rounds out the top three, with nearly 28% of its drivers failing to wear seatbelts — the highest rate in the EU. The data were gathered from the European Commission's official road fatality statistics and the Vias Institute's E-Survey of Road Users' Attitudes (ESRA). Finnish drivers have also shown some concerning behaviours, with over 40% talking on hand-held phones while driving — the highest rate among the countries surveyed. In Luxembourg, nearly four in 10 drivers admit to driving after consuming alcohol. "What's particularly alarming is that in countries like Luxembourg and Finland — nations known for their high standards of living and infrastructure — we're seeing extremely high rates of specific dangerous behaviours," said Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Vignette Switzerland. By contrast, Sweden has the lowest road fatality rate in Europe, with just 22 deaths per million inhabitants — significantly below the European average. Related London, Paris, Dublin: Which European city has the most congested roads? What is the European Commission's insight? Despite these results, the European Commission reported a 3% year-on-year drop in EU road fatalities in 2024, reflecting 600 fewer lives lost across the bloc. However, the Commission believes this decline remains insufficient. "The overall pace of improvement remains too slow, and most Member States are not on track to meet the EU's goal of halving road deaths by 2030," said a press release published on 18 March. According to the Commission, rural roads continue to present the greatest risk, accounting for 52% of fatalities. Men represent the majority of road deaths (77%), while older adults (65+) and young people (18-24) are particularly vulnerable road users. Among different types of road users, car occupants account for the largest share of fatalities, followed by motorcyclists (20%), pedestrians (18%), and cyclists (10%). Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, make up nearly 70% of urban fatalities.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
From drunk driving to skipping the seatbelt: Which EU country has the most reckless drivers?
Latvia has been ranked as having the EU's highest quotient of reckless drivers, tallying with high road fatality rates of 75 deaths per million people each year and alarming levels of phone usage while driving. That's according to a new study by motorway toll seller that analysed six key metrics, including road fatality rates, drunk driving, speeding on freeways, driving while sleepy, phone use while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. Austria ranks second in the EU, with 22.1% of drivers admitting to driving after consuming alcohol. Greece rounds out the top three, with nearly 28% of its drivers failing to wear seatbelts — the highest rate in the EU. The data were gathered from the European Commission's official road fatality statistics and the Vias Institute's E-Survey of Road Users' Attitudes (ESRA). Finnish drivers have also shown some concerning behaviours, with over 40% talking on hand-held phones while driving — the highest rate among the countries surveyed. In Luxembourg, nearly four in 10 drivers admit to driving after consuming alcohol. "What's particularly alarming is that in countries like Luxembourg and Finland — nations known for their high standards of living and infrastructure — we're seeing extremely high rates of specific dangerous behaviours," said Mattijs Wijnmalen, CEO of Vignette Switzerland. By contrast, Sweden has the lowest road fatality rate in Europe, with just 22 deaths per million inhabitants — significantly below the European average. Related London, Paris, Dublin: Which European city has the most congested roads? Despite these results, the European Commission reported a 3% year-on-year drop in EU road fatalities in 2024, reflecting 600 fewer lives lost across the bloc. However, the Commission believes this decline remains insufficient. "The overall pace of improvement remains too slow, and most Member States are not on track to meet the EU's goal of halving road deaths by 2030," said a press release published on 18 March. According to the Commission, rural roads continue to present the greatest risk, accounting for 52% of fatalities. Men represent the majority of road deaths (77%), while older adults (65+) and young people (18-24) are particularly vulnerable road users. Among different types of road users, car occupants account for the largest share of fatalities, followed by motorcyclists (20%), pedestrians (18%), and cyclists (10%). Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, make up nearly 70% of urban fatalities.
