European Road Safety Day 2007 :: Events in Member States (detailed)
Austria
Vision Zero from 23 to 29 April 2007 targeted at young road users, including young drivers. Every single day of the week featured different theme, e.g. speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, courtesy on the road, pedestrians, children as road users, all of them specific road safety topics. The whole week was supported by the media. An ETSC PIN Talk and other events were organized and other organizations were involved in this week, too.
Belgium
Flemish Congress on Road Safety was organised for the fifth time in Flanders. Theme of this year was young road users. The congress started with a plenary session, followed by practical workshops about projects on the 3 E's: education, engineering and enforcement.
ACEM is preparing European campaign on improved helmet wearing in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. There is special attention to the younger moped riders.
The "Brussels Safe Night": Responsible Young Drivers organized on 27 April 2007 a huge awareness campaign about driving under influence in 10 nightclubs of Brussels. In each nightclub, a team of 5 young volunteers welcomed the drivers at the entrance and encouraged them to take up a responsible attitude behind the wheel. Drivers became the opportunity to undergo a breath analysis and/or a drug test. The "designated drivers" were rewarded with small presents.
Bulgaria
The Ministry of Transport organized mass signing of European Road Safety Charter.
Czech Republic
Liberec region represented its activities within the framework of Liberec motor show in the house of culture on 27 April 2007. These are:
- Presentation of screen with analysis of accident frequency in Liberec region;
- Distribution of leaflets "death accidents in Liberec region 2006", intended especially for young drivers;
- Competition of policemen in operating traffic on crossroads in Liberec on 27.4.2007.
First Global Road Safety Week Czech Republic in Prague on 23-29 April 2007 included variety of Activities: National Road Safety Campaigns, Seminars (E.g. National Injury Free Days Seminar, International Seminar on Child Traffic Injury Prevention, and Approval of the National Strategy for Child Injury Prevention). There were also a road safety drawing contest for children and an exhibition at the UN House, Prague and the Czech Centre of Road Accident Prevention will sign the European Road Safety Charter.
Young drivers and crashes on 23 April 2007 - In the Czech Republic and in Spain, a traffic education program for young drivers (16-18 years) was organized under the banner of IRSA; the program was called "The Action" (Czech Republic) and "The Road Show" (Spain).
Denmark
TSU, Transport Sectors Educational Fund opened officially advanced training Centre with 2 fixed and 2 mobile simulators. With the new training centre TSU are able to give 1 day training programmes in Road Safety and Eco-driving to more than 4.000 professional drivers a year.
Estonia
The campaign "Cool people wear helmets! 2007" 23 April - 20 May 2007 advocated the use of helmets explaining their protective nature and aimed to minimize the number of head injuries occurring if one rides bicycle without wearing the helmet. Focus was on children at the age of 10-12 years; also younger and older kids and their parents were part of the target group. The campaign included mass media campaign: TV, radio, outdoor, indoor, print and the events in Tallinn (capital) and in the other cities.
Finland
The Road Safety Week in Finland 23 - 29 April 2007 was launched nationally with a four-week media campaign in television, radio and the Internet. Aim was to strengthen an already existing "Attitude problem" - campaign that has been running for three previous spring seasons. Themes of this year's campaign were speeding and seatbelt use. The campaign targeted at young road users between the ages of 15-24 years who account for 1/3 of traffic accidents in Finland. The campaign had a participatory element in form of a design competition to accessorize your own seatbelt. The idea in the competition was to increase awareness through problem solving. The goals of the activities were to create publicity and discussion in media and public sphere; to increase the target group's consciousness of speeding and seatbelt significance; and to affect target group's attitudes in order to decrease speeding and increase seatbelt use. The campaign was a co-operative effort between seven traffic safety actors in Finland.
France
LASER Europe organized Youth Europe Tour from the 24th to the 29th of April, 2007.
Collège Saint-Gabriel organised this year an activity about alcohol's danger and the examination of pupils' cycles by a group of the school. A "Junicode" was organised by "IDD". Next year, the college will organise "security week".
Campaign good driving - good behaviour, starting 23 April 2007 for 6 weeks.
Action "discothèques" et "Bien conduire, c'est bien se conduire" 23 April 2007: Action "discothèques" en partenariat avec la prévention routière pour la remise de gilet de sécurité. La campagne "Bien conduire, c'est bien se conduire" sera déployée dans les sites Michelin pour une durée de 4 à 6 semaines. Sur le réseau TV, une série de films type "caméra café", alliant sécurité routière et sécurité au travail, sera diffuser. Chaque film propose une question à la fin et les salariés peuvent répondre par bulletin, ce qui donne lieu à un concours avec récompensés.
Defensive Driving Training, on 25th of April 2007, in Nanterre
"Bib gonfleur" et "Concours de dessin" 23 April 2007: Bib gonfleur: Inauguration d'une station de gonflage à l'usine UMO. Concours de dessin: En partenariat avec la prévention routière dà déstination des enfants de 4 à 11 ans.
Defensive Driving Training 25 April 2007 in Nanterre: To teach all the staff (in small groups) the basic knowledge of the "Defensive Driving Concept". Each person will have the opportunity to attend a 2 hours session.
French Polynesia and New Caledonia: road safety activities linked to the First UN Global road safety week.
First UN Global Road Safety Week 23 April 2007 - Throughout French Polynesia: La 1ère semaine mondiale pour la sécurité routière offre une occasion majeure d'améliorer la sécurité routière des jeunes qui sillonent chaque jour les routes de la Polynésie française. Cette initiative,de la commission économique et sociale pour l'Asie et le Pacifique de l'ONU (CESAP), a nécessité la création d'un comité de la sécurité routière. Ce comité permet d'assurer la coordination des activités ainsi que leur suivi. Il regroupe les représentants du ministère des transports terrestres, de la santé, de l'éducation, de l'équipement, de la jeunesse, de la famille, ainsi que les représentants de l'Etat. Il permet également de renforcer l'engagement de la Polynésie française dans sa lutte contre l'insécurité routière. Monsieur Moana BLANCHARD, ministre des transports terrestres et Président de la commission souhaite réunir et mobiliser tous ces partenaires afin de pérenniser la lutte contre l'insécurité routière en Polynésie française. Cette semaine de la sécurité routière a pour thème « les jeunes usagers de la route ». De nombreuses manifestations locales seront organisées à raison d'une action par jour dans différentes communes de la Polynésie française afin de sensibiliser la population aux différents thèmes développés: Conférence de presse; des contrôles préventifs sur l'éclairage vélo dans les communes de Papeete, Faaa, Moorea, Tiarei, Taravao et Paea; manifestation sécurité routière, place Bougainville à Papeete; mise en place de contrôles préventifs de 2 roues motorisées dans les communes de Punaauia, Mahina, Papara, Moorea et Papeete. Sensibilisation sur le vélo au complexe sportif de la commune de Arue; Stage alternatif à la sanction animé par l'association Prévention Routière de Polynésie française, bâtiment du gouvernement, avenue Pouvanaa a Oopa, à Papeete.
Road Safety Day (25 April 2007) organised by a Secondary School in Poissy
Journée de sensibilisation à la sécurité routière 25 April 2007 - Lycée Agricole de Poisy, France: Reconstitutions réelles d'accidents de circulation en ville, initiation du public sur la maîtrise du véhicule, sensibilisation aux risques routiers, FFMC : Fédération française des motards en colère d'Annecy, prévention routière, SDIS Service départemental d'incendie et de secours d'Annecy, exposé sur l'alcool, association des traumatisés crâniens (FAI'ART), Conférence sur les stages CENTAURE
First United Nations Global Road Safety Week on 28 April 2007 throughout New Caledonia: Communicate the UN Global Road Safety Week in New Caledonia and inform the population in general on Road Safety (in particular young people).
Germany
The Federal Ministry of Transport and the German Road Safety Council (DVR) organized Youth Conference in Berlin on 21 and 22 April 2007. On 22 April was "Road Safety Day SPEZIAL" all over Germany and DVR provided leaflets, printing materials, press kits. DVR supported the "European Road Safety Day" (27 April 2007) by providing a driving simulator.
Bacardi Germany installed the drivers program Driver's Corners® in local gastronomy on the European Road Safety Day 2007 and offered free soft drinks to driving party guests, provided voluntary alcohol level testing and anti drink-driving information. Bacardi Germany made advertisement on the subject with super cards on cars in front of bars and clubs and on its homepage.
Munich Orientation Convention developed a system which allows any user to guide himself. Many accidents are caused by orientation collapse that means, on situations where our brains don't know how to match the memorized map with the reality. So drivers should learn as soon as possible to use natural orientation tools.
The University of Duisburg-Essen developed a multimedia tool to support speed control posts. The speed of the car driver and the tested speed of his reactions are input to a computer model of common accidents. This supports police units discuss the importance of speed limits, and the hazardous risk of even minor violations of speed limits. A field study in the city of Muelheim/Ruhr with 267 participants showed, that car drivers accept the output of the physics simulation as a proof of their own risk. A long-term study showed, that 3 months after the event the car drivers still describe the risk of their offence as "hazardous". In comparison, car drivers only confronted with their speed excess described their risk as "controllable".
Deutscher Verkehrssicherheitsrat organized workshop for young drivers in Berlin on the 21 April 2007.
Greece
The Hellenic Ministry of Transport and Communications released a commemorative postage stamp and publicised special newspaper articles and supplements. Furthermore, the Ministry intends to commence a campaign on road safety and to circulate leaflets and an edition of the Road Traffic Code, containing the national road safety policy and targets.
Workshop "Road Traffic Injuries" coordinated from WHO-Europe National Focal Person (Violence and Injury Prevention) under the auspices of Greek Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity with support of EKAB (National Centre for Emergency Health Care) as part of national response to 1st UN Global Road safety Week was held in Athens on 27 April 2007. The event was organized in the framework of 2-day National Workshop "Injuries and Violence" (27.-28.4.2007), in collaboration with other ministries and participation of relevant stakeholders. The opening event started on Monday the 23rd of April 2007 at the central square of Athens (Constitution Square). Inside the central metro station, where an exhibition hall exists, key-note speakers addressed the beginning of the road safety week. Outside, at the Constitution Square, the public had the opportunity to test drive simulators, get information about driving, etc.
Hungary
Multiple-choice questioners with enclosed small road safety game were sent to local schools, from which the student can learn more about the initiatives of the European Commission on road safety. The students got small presents for correct solutions. The school package included the road safety charter that could be signed by the students.
Road Safety action towards emergency vehicles drivers on 23rd of April 2007
Journée portes ouvertes pour les conducteurs d'ambulances 23 April 2007: Journée portes ouvertes pour les conducteurs d'ambulances: sensibilisation à la sécurité routière en particulier la pression des pneus ainsi que la distribution du CD "le bon usage du pneu".
Ireland
The Donegal Road Safety Working Group and The Road Safety Council Northern Ireland presented Young Driver - Driver Skills Day, where young Drivers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland received advice and tuition on driving and road safety. They also competed for prizes with both practical and theoretical tests of their skills.
Donegal Road Safety Working Group are also running a competition between the 17/04/07 and 25/05/07 to design and name a new road safety mascot which will attend local national schools and public events delivering a road safety message.
Italy
U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples Safety Office conducted a Motorcycle safety course for Italian workers employed by the U.S. Navy in Italian. The course promotes safe motorcycling and scooter riding. A driver's improvement course for youths 18-26 was conducted to include seniors in High School geared towards slowing down speeds, enforcing the need for seatbelt usage, car seats for infants, and reducing drinking and driving incidents. Posters for safety week were reproduced and placed in high visibility areas.
"Vado Sicuro", an innovative project promoted by the Province of Rovigo, aims young people to acquire responsible road behaviour. It is open to students from primary to high school and this is its third edition. Participants should present paper or multimedia work using a slogan, a drawing, a strip, based on the subject.
The Italian Association of Toll Motorways, a signatory of the European Road Safety Charter, organised an event on Fiano ovest, a rest area along A1 Motorway. The Road Police showed to students from the secondary school its patrols used on the Motorways and representatives of the Association explained to the students what the Toll concessionaires do.
The Province of Padua organised a press conference on 26 April 2007 in order to present the project "The Vulnerable People", carried out through a performance of a play concerning the road education and the road safety. It involves young people from 14 to 17 years old (total 2.500 students). The aim of the project is spreading information on safety, keeping of the Highway Code, the use of safety systems, the risks and the use of alcohol and drugs, the use of the helmet and the citizens’ caution on the road.
SWEET SLIDE built a travelling mobile circuit for kindergartens and primary schools. It devised a way of occupying little children by playing a game involving a point’s licence. It involves a monitor dressed as a traffic warden who guides the participants, on scooters or pedal cars, through the various pitfalls. There were rules and games and quizzes on road safety and, at the end of the course, scores were awarded in accordance with correct responses and mistakes made on the journey. The prize was a certificate of a licence and candy floss.
Let's walk to open eyes: how to recognize the road signs. This event was organized on 28 April 2007. Laboratories for children and paths for families helped them to know the road signs. The Police was present at Centro Infanzia e Famiglie and talked about road safety with children. The Police walked with children and explained them how to behave in the real traffic. This initiative was in collaboration with Legambiente.
Education of young people, lifesyles and road safety, 24 April 2007, Università degli Studi "La Sapienza", Rome: Discussion on the evidence of the connection between food/life styles and psycho-physical efficiency in view of maintaining adequate levels of attention as a function of preventing road accidents. Special attention was paid to educating the young part of road users to healthier life styles and responsible driving ethics. The event is part of the Convention "From the Antique Chinese Theories to the Sustainable Pianesiano Development".
Forum "Youth and Road Safety", 27 April 2007, Loreto: Before the event, starting from the story of a serious road accident and the violations made for abuse of alcohol or while driving without crash helmet and/or seat belts and the students, attending the forum, will be submitted to an interview concerning the juridical, economic and physical, consequences for the victims involved. On the day of the event, the results of the survey were reported and debated with the students.
A Conference on road accidents as a public health problem was organized on 23 April 2007 in Torino. The main topic was epidemiological hints and new knowledge objectives.
"Drive with Prudence - Zero alcohol, all life": In the nights of 25, 28 and 29 April 2007 a special edition of the campaign "Drive with Prudence - Zero alcohol, all life" was organized in three Italian locations, to remind people of the risks of Driving While Intoxicated. It's a Campaign that combines information with prevention and targeted controls, aimed to clash the "Saturday evening massacres". The Campaign was organized by State Police and ANIA Foundation for Road Safety, with the collaboration of SILB, SIMEU and SOC.I.TRA.S.
An event on youth and road risk factors was organized on 24 April 2007 in Rom and included children and their families, teachers in schools and families of road victims. The event focused on prevention of accidents and risk factors for children.
The event "The young users of the road" started on 29 April 2007 with promotional initiative in clubs, which focused on road safety education. On the 8th of Mai the results of the initiative were presented on a workshop in Sanremo. A CD on consequences of road accidents was also showed.
First aid doctors attended an event on 23 April 2007 in Rome to analyse road accidents involving young people. They discussed what has to be done to prevent accidents and how to intervene efficiently by an accident.
Meeting of popularization and knowledge spreading on medical aspects and first aid in road accidents was organized on 26 April 2007 in Messina. Suggestions to prevent thorax-abdominal traumas, in connection with appropriate use of restraint systems (seatbelts, airbag) were discussed.
The final event of the safety road campaign ICAROYOUNG, seventh edition, with a theatre performance for high school students and testimonials from young victims in road accidents was organized on 27 April 2007. The campaign was promoted by State Police, Ministry of Transportations, Ministry of Public Education, ANIA Foundation for Road Safety, with the collaboration of Sicurstrada and UNICEF.
Ideas to communicate the road safety, 26 April 2007, Fucecchio: Exile of competition for high schools for the accomplishment of a communication project with rewards for the winners.
The right to safe transport is crucial when it comes to young drivers: The event on 23 April 2007 boosted discussion on a common right to health in the European context, in order to allow free access to treatment and rehabilitation facilities in Europe.
Back to driving after brain trauma - congress on 23 and 24 of April 2007 on rehabilitation and prevention of brain trauma.
World Initiative Road Safety for the Youth, 28 April 2007: Analysis of programs and projects on road safety regarding youth, established at international level: aims, strategies, results, prospects.
Practice, meant to young people, on first and immediate aid to traumatized victims from road accidents - event on 27 April 2007.
Junior Bike Michelin on 21 April 2007 - Viareggio / S Maria Maggiore: A run with bicycles was organized for 4-11 years old children and helmets were distributed.
Road accidents involving youth. Dynamics and prevention: On 23 April 2007 studies carried out by the Central Committee of Road Haulage Registry showed that road haulage shares the same problems of safety of other roads' usage modalities, with specificities due to vehicles' features, their ways of use and drivers' qualification processes; an important role is also played by technical-legal elements and by controls. By working on these aspects is possible to implement the message "Siamo tutti sulla stessa strada: TIRispetto", that was at the basis of a series of events carried out in Italy by the Central Committee.
Event on 27 April 2007 in Bologna: Injury prevention is dealt with reference to drivers affected by anxiety and depression. Family contact and advice from experts in the field is the added value described by the event.
Event on 27 April 2007 in the University "La Sapienza" in Rome highlighted the precautions to prevent traumatical injury, particularly to upper limbs: position of hands on handlebar and steering wheels with airbag are discussed. Most recent methodologies for microsurgical repair of vasculo-nervous lesions are also presented.
The event "Road safety is not an accident" was structured on 29 April 2007in several actions:
- Lessons for students of age from 13 to 16 at schools, kept by experts in safe driving/riding, in cooperation with local police forces, mainly focused to improve the consciousness and knowledge of risks while riding/driving on roads; these lessons were kept from 18 to 21 April 2007.
- Practical experience in riding small motorbikes/mopeds (or simulators for youngest) for children of age from 13 to 16 in a restricted area, under the direct supervision of Italian Motorbikes Federation (FMI) instructors; this event took place on 29 April 2007.
- Final workshop named "La Sicurezza stradale non è un caso", with the participation of local, regional and national authorities, representatives of organizations dealing with road safety, hospitals, associations, etc.; this event took place on 29 April 2007.
Scientific congress jointly organised by University of Sassari with schools on 26 April 2007. Projects on road safety education were presented and evaluated, with parts regarding prevention and first aid.
Peculiarities of vascular injury in road accidents, with particular regard to young drivers of motorcycles - event on 23 April 2007 in Rome.
Let's run the life (per...corriamo la vita) from Locorotondo to Casamassima: The event was on 29 April 2007 and consisted of a parade of ancient cars and motorcycles along the National Road n.172 named "statale dei trulli" departing from the Town Hall of Locorotondo Town. The objective is to focus the attention both of the authorities and of the citizens on the extreme dangerousness of the National Road n.172 and on the absolute necessity of widening the roadway in order to decrease the percentage of accidents.
"Metti in moto la sicurezza "- road show '07 was organized on 27 April 2007 in Parma. It involved students of the last classes of high schools. The young people were trained by driving instructors on safety driving. The aim of the event was to let young people think about road safety and to increase the sensibility to this topic.
On 23 and 24 of April 2007 young people (almost 5000 participants) had the opportunity to try a motorbike simulator. The aim was to show the young people how they could prevent road accidents.
Playsafe: prevention of road accidents, 23 April 2007: A meeting with young people on Autodromo di Vallelunga, Rome was organized to inform them about road safety. A video was showed to make them understand that the real road is much more dangerous.
Medullar injuries were central topic to an event on 23 April 2007 in Rome. Their features and potential cause are discussed. Prevention and immediate treatments were especially highlighted.
Road Safety is No Accident on 24 April 2007: The event gave information to people that get into the hospital in order to let them know how to behave with a victim of a street accident: what to do and what not to do, how to call the ambulance, how to move (when needed) the victim and the first aid to give. The importance of the safety tools (e.g. the helmet) and the risk of alcohol and drugs in driving were explained.
Conference on techniques of behaviour when driving cars and motorcycles to prevent injury at lower limbs, in connection with correct use of seat belts, ideal driving position and presence of airbag - 26 April 2007, Rome
First National Road Safety Conference 29 March 2007: Because of road accidents, every year 1,2 million people lose their lives worldwide, compared to 45,000 in Europe. In Italy, official statistics for the year 2005 reported 225000 road accidents with 5426 deaths and 13700 injured. The European Union has established the objective to reduce these deaths with 50% by the year 2010. On the occasion of the First UN Global Road Safety Week (April 23-29, 2007), the First Italian Road Safety Conference has as primary objective to inform about actual statistics (on a global and local scale), most recent studies and researches and to discuss actions and measures that should be undertaken in the next few years to reach European objectives.
The project "Safe on the Road", 23-29 April 2007, included series of initiatives to promote road safety culture among children. It included simulations of practical examples of behaviour of children in traffic, as pedestrians and as cyclists and also meetings with families, where road safety education was discussed.
Assessment of anatomical and functional damage from road accidents in young people; aspect of prevention and indemnification. (23 April 2007)
Seminar dedicated to the scientific aspects of harm claim, the workshop confronts the specialist views on this subject, with particular regard to injury in young age. Furthermore, it will deal with issues on road safety and a discussion on driving and risky behaviours by youth. (27 April 2007)
ROAD SHOW around Piedmont on 21 April 2007: meetings, test, shows and drive safety courses.
During April and May 2007, several activities will be organized to promote the global road safety week: A conference on "Health in urban policies", a poster exhibition, a conference "Arezzo Provincial Observatory on Traffic Accidents", a training course for GPs "Urban mobility", "Edustra Days", "Children walking on the way home-school-home" and "Children on bike: safe roads for cycling children - BIMBIMBICI".
Road Safety Meeting with the youth on 23 April 2007, Cava de' Tirreni (SA): observance of rules, of common sense and of prudence save from often tragic outcomes; Presentation of the most appropriate behaviours to prevent accidents.
Road Safety: Free interactive lessons for high-schools students on 24 April 2007 in Rome. Each lesson will last 60', with 150 as maximum number of participants for each lesson and 4 lessons given. The importance of primary injury prevention in road accidents (helmets, safety belts, role of speed and use of alcohol and drugs) was explained, as well as the behaviour nearby the accident site (rescuers' safety, how to call for the ambulance and "what not to do").
Sicurezza Stradale - Le stragi del sabato sera 20 April 2007: With a large participation of experts in accident reconstruction and evaluation, forensic and educational representatives, experts in human behaviour and the expected attendance by students in local high schools, some recent researches on juvenile driving behaviour were discussed, besides alcohol/drugs-related problems and issues on consequent civil and penal liability.
Sicuri in strada 28 April 2007: On the 28th of April more than 40 cities and villages of the Lazio region hosted information points dedicated to the issue of road safety. Volunteers of local and national associations distributed materials, specifically produced for the campaign, and gave advice to citizen and passers-by. The campaign was mainly dedicated to young road users, both pedestrians and drivers. The aim was to promote awareness on the road safety issues and to reduce the number of road casualties. The events were supported by side activities and initiatives involving schools, driving schools and televisions.
Road Safety Strategies for youth in tourist areas, 26 April 2007, Comune di Cava de' Tirreni (SA): Suggestion of appropriate behaviours when driving cars and motorcycles, in order to respect pedestrians and "weak users", particularly present in tourist areas.
Sulle Strade dell'Etica 29 April 2007 - From Rome to Santiago de Compostela on bike: "Buke'n'Bike Occhio alla Buca!" is a project conceived in Rome aiming at monitoring in real time through collection of pictures the conditions of roads in the capital by means of a web portal (http://www.bukenbike.it). Rome features 5,500 Km of roads with one of the biggest most difficult urban settings. The initiative "Sulle Strade dell'Etica" ("addressing ethical paths") foresees a journey from Rome to Santiago de Compostela with which the organisers suggest not only a spiritual but also an awareness-raising experience on the theme of "Road Safety". The roads to go are the same that in the past were used to meet the most intimate needs of human being, i.e. Rome and Santiago de Compostela. The itinerary also crosses the "Via Franchigena" backwards and therefore through France till Spain bearing the following message: a call for roads to be again a means to communicate and not to die, stopping the death toll that reports thousands of lives lost on "civil" roads. The aim of the initiative is also to raise awareness for policy makers and administrators controlling and in charge of the keeping roads safe to really guarantee that this is done for their citizens. The companies performing the maintenance are to be more careful and accurate in the way they operate and citizens on their turn are to be more aware of their rights and duties in respecting the public roads by driving safely.
A night for the life on 28 April 2007 in Rimini and a number of large and small towns all over Italy: With the aim of "zero deaths" in a Saturday night, a traffic ban - agreed with local authorities and helped by free usage of public transport system - was established in towns particularly affected by the "Saturday night carnage". The initiative was accompanied by a call on citizens to deeply discuss on TV, radio and internet, on a phenomenon that in the last four years has recorded, on the "amusement front", as many young victims as the American soldiers died in Iraqi war.
Latvia
Road Traffic Safety Directorate in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Interior, the State police and private sector organized 3-4 road safety campaigns about seat belts, alcohol, speed, etc. The campaign "Fasten the belt! Do not risk!" was carried out in Latvia from May 25 till June 18, 2006, and was repeated from August 28 till September 8, 2006. Visual information on the campaign was spread on TV, radio, press and on local posters - video, audio clips and posters. Press conferences and different events were organized.
National campaign on careless driving and tiredness "What do people do while driving" took place in whole Latvia for 3 weeks, starting on 17 April 2007. The main activities, concentrated during UN road safety week (23-29 April 2007), included video and audio clips, communication via internet, environment-related advertisements, police raids as well as press conferences and round table discussion with decision makers from respective ministries (Interior, Transport, Health and Education), public discussions on national TV and other activities. The campaign was supported by the UN country team, the Transport department, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Interior and the State Police.
Safety Week "Road Safety" started on 23 April 2007. The aim was to improve knowledge on several road safety items. Participants were pupils from grade 1 to 12 (age 7-18) in whole Latvia. During this week different activities as competitions and discussions took place in all schools in Latvia.
Malta
The activities in Malta included a Press Conference, publication of an informative leaflet, Poster competition, live discussion Radio Programme and public event organized by the younger generation in a major road leading to the capital.
The Netherlands
The Province of Noord-Brabant, in cooperation with two driving schools, organised a "Practice day for young drivers": an event for 36 young drivers, age 18 to 25, who obtained their driving licence 3 to 12 months ago. Participants could share experiences, test their driving skills and update their knowledge. The day had 3 parts:
- ride on the public highway: participants judged their own and each others driving behaviour;
- training session on a mobile skid lane: participants made emergency brakes at velocities of 30 and 50 km/h and learned about braking distances and how to avoid an emergency situation;
- group discussion about alcohol and drugs in traffic.
Primary School "K. Norel" organized a "Traffic Safety Week" from 23rd to 27th of April 2007 which started with the ANWB Streetwise project for children 6-12 years old.
The Dutch Road Safety Week 23-27 April 2007 tried to raise public and political awareness and tried to promote action and active involvement throughout a variety of initiatives. Each day of the week focused on a different group of young road users between the age of 4 - 24 and all events were coordinated by a collaboration of the Ministry of Transport, the National Road Safety Association VVN, the Road User Association ANWB, young drivers organization Team Alert, regional authorities, the Road Safety Research Institute SWOV and the police. The Minister of Transport presented the road safety statistics of 2006, with specific attention to young road users of 0-24 years. During the week, several existing and new local projects, all targeting road safety of young people, were promoted. A book on blind spots of trucks, an OECD-publication on young drivers and the results of a national survey among primary school pupils were released and communicated. A Jubilee Congress was held in honour of the 45th anniversary of SWOV, at which scientists and policy makers discussed the results of recent scientific research on road safety. On the last day, the resolution of the World Youth Assembly was input for a debate between national and regional politicians, experts and elected young road users.
In February a survey was held among pupils of the highest classes of primary school (9-12 years). The survey was held by means of the free National Children Paper, which was spread to about 1500 primary schools in The Netherlands. The questions in the survey related to the problems children encounter in daily traffic and the solutions they have for these problems. The survey was combined with a contest. Those children who offered the most creative solution for improving road safety of their own age group could win attractive prizes, e.g. a weekend to Disneyland Paris.
Poland
The 1st Road Safety Forum "Road Safety is No Accident. Young Road Users as a High Risk Group" on 26 April 2007 was part of the Global Road Safety Week in Poland, organized by our Partnership together with the Polish National Road Safety Council. As the issue of young drivers is currently a critical one in Poland, the main goal was to attract attention of decision makers to the high rate of road accidents caused by young people. The further goal was to initiate a broad discussion about effective measures in order to change the situation of the high rate of the road crashes/injuries in the group of young road users (ex. law, education, road safety campaigns, etc.).
Action against drink-driving on 22nd of April 2007 - Poland: Evénement en discothéques: avec vérification du taux d'alcool chez les participants et un concours dont les prix seront des leçons de conduites spéciales aux écoles de conduite.
During the First UN Global Road Safety Week started on 23 April 2007, the abstainers associations in Poland distributed educational materials regarding the drivers' sobriety among the participants of the driving schools. Also, local communities encouraged the local police to conduct more frequent sobriety inspections among drivers, who are at the stage of obtaining a driving licence. The aim of this undertaking was to draw the attention of the drivers to the issue of drink-driving.
In April 2007 Global Road Safety Week Exhibition in headquarter of lower house of the Polish Parliament was devoted to Global Road Safety Week problems.
Portugal
Azores Government with Regional Command of Police and Road Prevention organized an event on April 27th simultaneously in the 9 islands. This event consisted in a formative campaign with a solemn action in Ponta Delgada city (São Miguel Island) that was extended in order to reach all the 120.000 archipelago drivers. The action consisted of distribution of a sticker ‘Drive carefully: we wait for you at home’ to each driver.
The Portuguese Red Cross (Rio Maior) is going to participate in a regional and national meeting of young volunteers for the road safety and to speak with the children in the schools about behaviour and road safety.
Secondary School Gabriel Pereira: The Alcokart is a new machine that allows in real time, to feel the simulation of impaired driving, while the driver is sober. The kart is equipped with a computer that can be activated from a distance and that makes the machine react with a short time-lag and that creates the similar result as driving under influence. It took place on 27th and 28 April in Évora.
The Company Liberty Seguros and other entities like DEKRA, ACP and Federação Nacional de Motociclismo visited 4 University Campuses during 4 days (23, 24, 26, and 27 of April), where "Feira da Segurança" was constructed. The mayor objective was alerting and sensibilizing youg people concerning safer road practices.
On 23 April 2007 International House Coimbra exhibited videos from many different countries and legal cultures in their permanent installations with the aim of highlighting their common goal - child safety. They also made child car seats available throughout the Global Road Safety Week, check service and informed on the appropriateness of the seat size for the child in question. The International House Coimbra carried out various in-class activities to raise awareness of road safety for pedestrian, in-car and cyclist; instigate an on-going competition to vote for the most effective road safety video from all those shown from around the world.
On 26 April 2007 the Hemicycle - More Tolerance, More Safety, mobilized students of all Évora District to debate together in plenary assembly, and to propose 3 actions, which they consider more excellent for an effective road safety in our streets and roads. The actions will be delivered to the Government.
Romania
A High Level Road Safety Summit with Government Representatives, Members of Parliament, International organizations, High Level Decision Makers and Press met on Monday April 23 in the Parliament in Bucharest to launch the Global Road Safety Week. A Road Safety Campaign, focussing at young road users that was launched at the end of the Summit on Monday April 23, and will last until end of June. This campaign consists of a TV and radio clip, broadcasting of campaign items, brochures explaining the problem and countermeasures, intensified enforcement by the police, local activities where young road users can be met and an evaluation, before and after based on polls, interviews and observations. The campaign was aimed at different target groups.
Safety Belt, Third National Campaign on 15 April 2007 - Like every year a study on the evolution of the use of seat belt, together with IMAS were conducted and a press conference about this subject was organized to compare the results to results of the last 3 years and to other European results. Banners and other materials about this subject have been printed and distributed.
Slovakia
ZS sv. Marka organized workshop in primary school with traffic police officer and some lessons dedicated to this topic.
Slovenia
The Road Safety Day in Slovenia included:
- the project »Streets to Youngers«, the national conference to identify risky behaviour and its causes, particularly among young road users;
- launching a website, which gives opportunity to youngsters to introduce and to offer solution for improving road safety;
- presentation of youth initiatives to National Council and to Minister for Transport, etc.
- various youth initiatives and local road safety projects and exhibition on the theme of young road users and young drivers.
Slovene Road Safety Council prepared several activities as a part of the First UN Global Road Safety Week in April 2007. From February 1st until March 29th, young people were given a chance to submit their own suggestions on road safety measures on a web page www.premlad.si (Too young to die). These measures can include anything from preventive or advertising programmes, programmes intended for schools and universities, legislative measures for drivers, novice drivers or road safety regulations, technical solutions for cars, road infrastructure, IT technology or any other suggestion that could improve road safety among young. The web page also had an option of submitting a photo of a certain dangerous road areas or a road safety problem, to submit a slogan for an action on road safety. The main idea of the web page was to promote road safety among young people, to stimulate their ideas and make them realize they are too young to loose a friend, relative or their life in a road accident. With this action young people were given the chance to participate and submit their ideas in a media they are familiar with.
The programme "Street playing day" 25 April 2007 was a part of work done on a local level. Local road safety councils were invited to prepare events for kindergartens and elementary schools on April 25th 2007. The goal of the programme was to calm down traffic in areas with schools and kindergartens and to give children a chance to play outside. The programme whished to point out the problems, mainly in urban areas, where there aren't enough areas where children could play safely, where there aren't safe school roads or cycle paths. The goal was to close down at least 50 streets for this event and make them safe for children to play on. With this symbolic act, other problems regarding overall use of motor vehicles in urban areas could be pointed out. The streets to be closed were mainly streets in areas with schools and kindergartens and residential streets who wished to endorse traffic calming measures in their areas. The idea of turning these streets into the residential areas (max. speed 10km/h) was promoted. The programme Street playing day wished to motivate people in bringing such measures successfully into action.
In co-operation with the National Traffic Safety Board a workshop "Alcohol and young drivers" for "traffic safety rules"-instructors was organized on 24 April 2007 in Celje. The workshop was about epidemiological data on traffic injuries and burden of alcohol, prevention strategies, presentation of video spot and health promotion materials and ameliorate skills for conducting the classroom instructions. Brochures were disseminated to all participants.
On April 23rd the Slovene Road Safety Council, the Ministry of Transport and the National Council organized a conference on which young people introduced their ideas and suggestions in the field of road safety and discussed those ideas with experts from different fields dealing with traffic safety. Those young people who submitted the most interesting and well argumented suggestions on the web page www.premlad.si will also be invited to the conference. Together with the experts they will try to find ideas and possible solutions to certain problems. The conference was the first step towards active involvement of young people in road safety. At the end of the conference a symbolic signing of the European Road Safety Charter for some of the participating organizations and businesses was held.
Spain
GROUPS ORGANIZANDOS published a control on the circulation, to verify the fulfilment of the norms in the following points: pedestrian crossings, behaviour of the pedestrians and the vehicles before the existence of such; traffic lights: behaviour of the pedestrians and the vehicles before the existence of such; Stop: behaviour of the vehicles before them; Shutdowns and parking: behaviour of the vehicles at the time of making these manoeuvres suitably; Public squares: behaviour of the vehicles at the time of circulating in them; Use of the lap belt and the Casco.
An exhibition of the road safety measures in Madrid, together with a daily seminar during the Road Safety world week (23 April 2007), games for children, safety demonstrations, efficient car driving lessons, etc., gathered in a canvas in Madrid, were the rounding activities of a Roadshow, developed with stakeholders involved in the road safety. This initiative brought the emergency services together in a theatre stage to demonstrate to young people their input to the scene of an accident and the risks they should to avoid.
The 3rd Course on the Biomechanics of Impact applied to Traffic Accidents was held at the Universidad de Navarra on 26 and 27 April 2007. It was designed for professionals of Emergency Departments, engineers, specialists in trauma, researchers, and students.
Information actions addressed to 1000 people "Jovenes de mas de 50 años" from 23 to 25 April. On 27 April a presentation of conclusions was made and 2 campaigns started, one addressed to 700 young people between 16 and 20 years old and another to children in primary school.
Spanish Federation of employers in transport of passengers representing bus and cars operators intends to organize a road safety day dedicated to these types of vehicles.
IV Safety Road Campaign for Young People in Extremadura, 23-29 April 2007 delivered information and materials about Safety Road Education for young people.
During the First UN Global road safety week, actions in Spain and Portugal regarding tyres pressure.
Semaine mondiale de sécurité routière 23 April 2007 - Spain/Portugal: Examen des pneus gratuit pendant 3 semaines avec distribution de CD "le bon usage du pneumatique". En outre, distribution de la brochure "Guide de sécurité pour la route" à l'ensemble du personnel pour sensibiliser les employés du groupe Michelin. Aussi, sur les sites Michelin il y aura l'action "implication dans la vie locale" autour de la sécurité routière et avec la participation d'employés volontaires.
In the Czech Republic and in Spain, a traffic education program for young drivers (16-18 years) was organized on 23 April 2007 under the banner of IRSA; the program is called "The Action" (Czech Republic) and "The Road Show" (Spain). In the other countries, IRSA is organizing train-the-trainer programs for police trainers and traffic police specialists with respect to the improvement of traffic enforcement and the handling of crashes, including the improvement of crash data collection.
Sweden
Intensive speed surveillance week 23-29 April 2007: The Global Road Safety Week in April was chosen by the European Police Cooperation, TISPOL as a week with special activities dedicated to speeding. Road Safety in Sweden is based on the Zero Vision which suggests a shared responsibility of the system designers and road users. In Sweden road safety has been improved during the last decades step by step. The benefits of safer roads with median barrier, roundabouts i.e. - and safer cars is significant. However one problem is the road-users behaviour - speeding, driving under influence of alcohol/drugs and not using seat belt. It is estimated that about 100-150 persons per year are killed in Sweden due to speeding of totally 440 killed persons in road traffic accidents. The Police, the Road Administration and the National Society for Road Safety are cooperating with information measures both on local, regional and national level to explain that speed is a key factor in road safety.
United Kingdom
European wide speed enforcement operation from 23 to 29 April 2007 holed by TISPOL (European Traffic Police Network) showed that speeding or excessive speed for the conditions is a major cause of death and serious injury on Europe's roads. A media strategy supported the operation which seeks to educate road users on the dangers of speeding.
Driving forward - Global Road Safety Week in 2007 on 23 April 2007: RoSPA in Scotland provided a central focus for road safety practitioners to highlight the work that goes on in road accident prevention in Scotland. Key partners worked together to raise the profile of road safety, particularly in respect of vulnerable road users, especially young drivers. These organisations include RoSPA, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), the Scottish Executive (Road Safety Scotland), the Institute of Road Safety Officers (IRSO) and Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS). A company was employed to ensure co-ordinated Scotland-wide media activity.
The FedEx & Brake Road Safety Academy is a partnership project by Brake and FedEx, providing free training and resources to volunteers and professionals to empower them to spread life-saving road safety education in their community. Nearly 1,000 Academy 'graduates' have been trained through the project to deliver powerful, awareness-raising road safety presentations to groups of young people, company drivers or parents. During the Global Road Safety Week (23 April 2007), graduates were particularly active, delivering presentations around the UK in schools, colleges, youth clubs, companies and community centres. Brake carried out promotional work to: raise awareness about the shocking number of UK families affected by road death and injury and the role all people can play in making the roads safer; and to encourage more volunteers and professionals to get involved in the Academy and make a real difference in their community.
Road Safety Campaign during the First United Nations Road Safety Week (23 April 2007) in the road with support from residents to emphasise road safety, and in particular the dangers of speeding, to all road users (including cars, taxis, bikes, cyclists and walkers). Posters, banners, leaflets and peaceful campaign were used to get the message across.
3M, the diversified technology company, launched on 20 April 2007 a new 'safe cycling' module on 3M Streetwise, its online child road safety teaching resource. In keeping with the original site, the new module, "Bright Thinking for Cyclists", has many bright and interactive pages aimed at teachers, pupils and parents. It also features an animated film designed to allow for classroom discussion on safe and unsafe behaviours by cyclists. The launch of the new module was being timed to coincide with the United Nation's first Global Road Safety Week.
Stockbridge Library, Central Library and Morningside Library had for four weeks since 23 April 2007 a display of materials showing road safety problem globally then focussing on local problems, giving contact details for the offer of road safety presentations to target audiences, young drivers, older drivers, occupational drivers and motor bikers and educational resources to all road users in general and including materials specific to children as pedestrians.
On 26 April 2007 there was a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Justice for Road Traffic Victims, on the benefits of Event Data Recorders (EDRs, or black boxes) and their potential to reduce law breaking, in particular speeding, and therefore reduce crashes, to reduce pollution through slower travel and fewer unnecessary trips, and to provide evidence in the event of crashes and hence greater justice.
MAWWFRS UN Road Safety Support Event on 27 April 2007 in Wales involved the fire and rescue service and other partners from the road safety community working together to raise awareness of the issues that face one of our most vulnerable road user groups, that is the 17-25 year old driver and his passengers.
National Road Safety Forum on 25 April 2007: Mott MacDonald's Road Safety experts converged at Birmingham's Aston University to share knowledge about road safety issues - including the development of an in house computer-based system for road safety audit. The event included presentations on crash investigation, accidents involving roadside objects and speed management.
Panel Discussion: 'Murder Most Foul' revisited: Are we doing enough for our young people or are we still blaming the most vulnerable? On 26th of April 2007 The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, London organized a discussion on the issue of who should have priority on our roads, between panellists from relevant national and London government departments and campaigners, and those involved in child health and well-being and road safety - based on the 1947 pamphlet 'Murder Most Foul', in which JS Dean condemns the expectation that vulnerable road users - pedestrians and cyclists - should assume more responsibility for their safety than those who actually pose the harm in motor vehicles.
Promotion of Event Data Recorders (black boxes) in all vehicles on 23 April 2007: To protect the lives of young people, FEVR and its member organisations called for Event Data Recorders (EDRs or black boxes) to be installed in all vehicles, including those of young drivers, on the grounds of their potential to reduce crashes, unnecessary driving and to aid crash investigations and therefore justice.
The Make Roads Safe campaign organised a 'Rally for Safer Roads' in London on 23 April 2007 in support of the UN's Global Road Safety Week. Panel discussions at the Rally included "Road safety and the Millennium Development Goals", "Road safety for children and young drivers" and "Taking action for global road safety".
Reprint of 'Murder most Foul; A Study of the Road Deaths Problem', by JS Dean (23 April 2007): This pamphlet, which highlights that the burden of road traffic injury is disproportionately borne by vulnerable road users, who are expected to assume more responsibility than drivers of motor vehicles, was reprinted by RoadPeace, with support from KeyMed, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, since its message - that road danger must be reduced - is highly relevant on the occasion of the 1st UN Global Road Safety Week dedicated to the safety of young road users.
When Lives Collide, 23 April 2007, Leeds: A photographic exhibition of road crash scenes and bereaved road victims, by award winning photographer Paul Wenham-Clarke, who worked on this topic with RoadPeace, UK's national charity for road traffic victims, and their members, is held until 28th April.
