CouncilEurope

European Convention on Civil Liability for damage caused by motor vehicules

(ETS no. 079)

Open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, on 14 May 1973.

Entry into force : The Convention will enter into force after the deposit of the third instrument of ratification.

Summary of the treaty

The Convention introduces stricter liability on a European scale for keepers of vehicles with regard to victims of road accidents. This liability is no longer associated with the concept of "fault" but based on the principle of "risk" due to the very fact of driving the vehicle.

The primary objectives of the Convention are to improve the situation of victims of road accidents and to adopt a system acceptable to the majority of member States.