In your own words, what is EuroTest? What is its mission/goal? And finally how is EuroTest organised?

EuroTest is a pan European consumer-testing programme launched in 1999, which annually examines the quality and safety of different aspects of the mobility infrastructure and services found on Europe's major tourist highways. To date we have examined road tunnels, Ro Ro passenger Ferries, motorway service areas, road traffic signs and even the roads themselves.
The EuroTest consortium currently has 15 partner clubs including HAK. It is a major automobile club tourism initiative. They meet regularly during the year to select and develop a programme of tests. The test results are published in Europe wide using simultaneous media launches on agreed dates followed by publication of these test results in the magazines of the partner clubs.


Can you tell us something about past EuroTest projects?

Ro Ro passenger Ferries were the first mobility service to be tested by the clubs. The ferry test examines seven key areas of safety that are crucial to saving lives in the event of an accident. Independent maritime experts board the vessels as ordinary tourists and conduct the test incognito. Ferry tests were conducted in 2000 and in 2004. Railway Stations were tested in 2002. Our Motorway Service area test looks at the quality and safety provided at these important rest areas on Europe's main tourist highways. Taking regular breaks on long car journeys is important for road safety. Motorway service areas have a duty of care to provide with excellent services. In every test conducted so far about one third of the MSAs visited failed. Perhaps the most successful of our test has been the road tunnels test which has been carried out annually for the last six years. Other tests which have featured in the programme include an assessment of the open roads, a test of road signs and future tests will include tests of road works and drivers' knowledge about their cars.


What is the role of partner clubs within the consortium?

The EuroTest partner clubs are the basis of this pan European Cooperation. They select the projects included in the annual EuroTest programme, identifying at the national level which items to include in the test selections, providing access at the national level to the responsible operators, government authorities, opinion makers and the general public. When the test results are published they play a crucial role in raising awareness among everyone concerned about the identified failings and what can be done to improve the situation. They also to advise their members and the general public of tips for protecting their own safety when using the mobility related service in question.


You consider yourself a consumer protection alliance. On a broader scale, how does the end-consumer benefit from EuroTest?

Consumer protection is a stated goal of many of the partners of the EuroTest consortium. "Making the difference members" is a crucial part of the services they provide. The aim of EuroTest is to enhance the touring experience of all consumers - this is the priority. This programme checks the safety and quality of the services inspected in order to provide consumers with the necessary information to make informed choices about mobility-related services they use.


Are you satisfied with the collaboration of the subjects whose infrastructure you actually test (tunnel operator etc / emphasis on differences between countries)?

In general the preparation of the tests would be very difficult without a good collaboration with the operators of the various test subjects. Some tests are even impossible without the collaboration of the operators. To conduct a full test of a road tunnel where ventilation ducts, safety escape routes and the control centre need to be checked, the operator must consent to open up the tunnel in question to our experts. Referring specifically to the tunnel test, collaboration with tunnel operators has in general been a very positive experience all over Europe. This procedure has also helped the development of our ferry test.


What is the attitude of the European Commission regarding the activities of EuroTest?

Very favourable. The fact that EuroTest is a consumer oriented programme concerned about improving safety and quality for motorists and tourists financed and implemented totally by an independent consortium of automobile clubs without any vested interests in the outcomes of the tests is of major importance to the European institutions. The strong brands and reputations of the partner clubs, the pan European dimension of the EuroTest consortium coupled with the fact that all partner clubs have members, European citizens, to whom they report on the outcomes of the tests, these are factors that make EuroTest and the EuroTest partnership very attractive to the European Commission. The clubs collaboration with the European Commission has not just been about developing tests together. EuroTest projects have helped to shape and develop European legislation.


What are the planned activities of EuroTest for the year 2005?

2005 should be quite exciting as the EuroTest partnership will implement two completely new tests, never conducted before concerning road works zones and drivers' knowledge about their cars.


What is your message to Croatian drivers?

The existing partners in EuroTest were very happy when HAK joined the consortium. Croatia is an important European tourist destination and therefore of interest to the members of all our partner clubs.

EuroTest achieves improvements for consumers by publishing test results once they are available -good and bad - immediately in the media. EuroTest is about "making the difference". We are very happy that HAK will be helping to make the difference for Croatian drivers through EuroTest.