Meeting for Innovation in Road Safety Education

The First Encounter for Innovation in Road Education took place on Friday, December 2, organized under the IMPACT international project of which we are part. More than 100 people attended the meeting that was proposed to be a space for exchange of practices in road education among various actors working on the subject. As well, a space of implementation of the concepts of Road Education through different workshops with proposals of learning-doing. The Meeting featured exhibitions from international organizations: Safe Kids China, HAHA Association of Bulgaria, IMPACT, and Responsible Young Drivers from Belgium. As well, from various national organizations and actors of road safety in Argentina: Road Commitment; Driving Consciousness; Reid Systems; The Legislator Maximiliano Sahonero; Paula Bisiau, Subsecretariat of Sustainable Mobility of the City of Buenos Aires; And Juan Manuel "Cochito" Lopez, car racer. All of them shared their experiences and activities to bring road safety to young people. The objective of the First Encounter for Innovation in Road Education was to rethink current ways of approaching road safety for young people, and to find and share innovative experiences.


Red Cross

In our second implementation, we trained mentors in order to expand the knowledge and awareness of road safety. One of the groups we worked with was the Red Cross in Vicente Lopez. The aim of these trainings, were to give out materials kits that could be used wherever and whenever. Some of the animators drove to Vicente Lopez to meet and teach the volunteers of the Red Cross how the activities and games were done; during an afternoon of November, we share a wonderful experience between all the volunteers. The people of the Red Cross seemed to really enjoy the games and were delightful with the kits given.


MINUBA

Aside from the IMPACT ((Involvement and Motivation for Participation of Active young Citizens to stand for Traffic safety) and “Sumá tu Voz a la Seguridad Vial” (“Join your voice to Road Safety”), from MINU, we do other projects that include youngsters too. That’s why on the 9th, 10th and 11th of November; we decided to implement this campaign on a different environment. MINUBA is one of the many UN models we organize during the year; because is our biggest UN model, we worked with more than 700 youngster during their lunch times and recess, and encourage them to do some of our road safety activities, in order to be aware of road safety and all the precautions they, as pedestrian, should have.


IMPACT 2nd ACTION—Action in East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST)

Date: Nov.11, 2016 Participants: 200 The ACTION was designed by the 20 animators from ECUST. They invited police to join the ACTION with lectures and interactive practice games on 6 safe-driving behaviors.


IMPACT 2nd ACTION—Action in Changchun University of Science and Technology (CUST)

Date: Nov.10, 2016 Participants: 600 The ACTION was designed by the 20 animators from CUST with the theme as Safe-driving, I Swear. They organized the ACTION with outdoor interactive practice games on 6 safe-driving behaviors. It was the first time that IMPACT entering CUST. The ACTION was very welcomed by youth participants.


IMPACT 2nd ACTION—Action in Nanjing University of Aero and Astronautics(NUAA)

Date: Nov.5, 2016 Participants: 900 The ACTION was designed by the 20 animators from NUAA with the theme as Safety with Emotion. They organized the ACTION with indoor lectures and the outdoor interactive practice games on 6 safe-driving behaviors. It was the first time that IMPACT entering NUAA. The ACTION was very welcomed by youth participants, including the foreign students.


IMPACT 2nd ACTION—Action in Suzhou University (SU)

Date: Oct.14, 2016 Participants: 500 Activity description: A grant lecture has conducted in Suzhou university with 500 participants. Safe Kids youth worker gave the training. After the lecture, the 20 animators organized the interactive practice games on 6 safe-driving behaviors.


IMPACT 2nd ACTION—Launch Event at Baodi Square in Shanghai

Date: Sept.20, 2016 Participants: 200 The 2nd ACTION of IMPACT program launched in combination with the 5th anniversary of the Youth safe-driving program. 20 animators in Shanghai together with other youth participants enjoyed the ceremony following the 6 interactive practices on 6 safe-driving behaviors: No Drink Driving, No Speeding, Be Seen No Distraction, Safe Start Using Safety Belt, No Road Rage.


ICTCT Extra Workshop in Beijing

The IMPACT project hosted a special session during the ICTCT extra workshop “Cyclists and planning for cyclists” held in Beijing, China on 26 and 27 of April 2016. The project consortium representatives showcased the project achievements in front of leading European and Chinese researchers as well as students from the Beijing University of Technology. The presentations can be downloaded from http://www.ictct.org/workshops/past-workshops/x-ictct-extra-workshop-beijing-china/


Action in Plovdiv

The fifth action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2016 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Plovdiv, from 11:00 o'clock on the 28th of April 2016. A total of 63 people, out of which 43 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Stara Zagora

The fourth action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2016 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Stara Zagora, from 15:00 o'clock on the 27th of April 2016. A total of 94 people, out of which 51 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Yambol

The third action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2016 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Yambol, from 11:00 o'clock on the 27th of April 2016. A total of 61 people, out of which 41 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Kardjali

The second action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2016 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Kardjali, from 11:00 o'clock on the 26th of April 2016. A total of 68 people, out of which 37 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Smolyan

The first action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2016 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Smolyan, from 11:00 o'clock on the 25th of April 2016. A total of 50 people, out of which 33 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Run for road safety

On the third day of joint IMPACT activities in Shanghai (23rd of April), the project partners' representatives took part in a open space event, organized by the Shanghai ZhaBei Huatong Injury Prevention Consulting Center and the Shanghai Traffic Police. The rain could not stop the fun in running to complete all road safety challenges. The event was featured on the International Channel Shanghai TV. See https://www.facebook.com/openyouthbg/videos/1195728463772891/


Open public seminar

Following the Midterm project partners' meeting, an Open public seminar was held in Shanghai on the 22nd of April 2016 in the framework of the IMPACT project. During the seminar the partners' representatives had the opportunity to showcase their achievements in front of road safety stakeholders from the Shanghai Traffic Police, the Shanghai Center for Disease Control, university teachers and students.


Midterm meeting

The IMPACT project Midterm meeting took place on the 21st of April 2016 in Shanghai, China. It will be hosted by the Shanghai ZhaBei Huatong Injury Prevention Consulting Center. All project partners sent their coordinators to share their experience from the first year project implementation and to discuss initial project strategies for continuation of IMPACT.


Join your voice to Road Safety

On February 28th and March 6th, in Parque Centenario (Marechal, Leopoldo and Lillo Av., Buenos Aires, Argentina) from 15:30 to 19:30hs, MiNU, a Civil Association, will carry out again the project “Sumá tu Voz a la Seguridad Vial” (“Join your voice to Road Safety”) as an integral part of the Argentinian contribution to the objectives of the IMPACT (Involvement and Motivation for Participation of Active young Citizens to stand for Traffic safety) Project. Nowadays, MiNU and IMPACT are organizing a collaboration project between organizations from Latin America, Asia and Europe which work among young citizens for Traffic safety. This is financed by Erasmus+, from the European Union. The purpose of the activity is to give the Young citizens the possibility to learn the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and to aware them that this is the first cause of death in Argentina. Using games and recreational activities will show to youngsters between 15 and 30 years old, how the reaction capacity and the execution of simultaneous tasks decrease under the alcohol influence.


First Implementation of IMPACT in China Officially Kicks Off in Synergizing with the Fourth Youth Safe-Driving Program sponsoring by Continental China

Shanghai, China, 25 October 2015 - Today, the Sino-European program named IMPACT officially kicked off its first implementation in Shanghai, China. The program was synergizing with the Fourth Youth Safe-Driving Program sponsoring by Continental, a leading technology company. Attending the ceremony were representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Committee of Spiritual Civilization Construction Office, Communist Youth League Shanghai Municipal Committee, Traffic Police Corps of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, as well as university volunteers, Safe Kids (China), and around 1,000 Continental employees and families. Dr. Ralf Cramer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental AG and President & CEO of Continental China, commented: "Continental has always advocated the 'Safety for Everyone' concept. While we focus on the innovation of safety products and technologies, we continue to emphasize safe driving in our public-interest communications in a bid to popularize the idea of ‘safe driving’ and deliver safer driving experiences to consumers. With the Youth Safe-Driving Training Program, we hope to strengthen our long-term cooperation with Safe Kids (China) and contribute to road safety in China to realize 'Vision Zero' – a future without road accidents."

The concept of “Safe Driving” was transformed into interactive activities during the program to more effectively communicate the principles of road safety to participants. The traffic police is invited to share traffic safety knowledge with the young people present, stressing the idea of road safety, as well as promoting the principles and self-discipline of safe driving. Volunteers from universities in Shanghai acted as ambassadors for interactive onsite activities, encouraging more people to realize the importance of safe driving and grasp the value of correct driving habits. The Youth Safe-Driving Program aims to raise young drivers' road safety awareness and promote proper safe driving habits to reduce traffic injuries. Guided by the theme “Be a Responsible Young Driver”, the program encourages young people to understand and experience the concept of "safe driving" by learning five safe driving habits: no alcohol driving, no speeding, no distractions, driveway safety and use safety belt. According to a study on global road safety by the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15–29 years. In China, almost one out of every two victims killed in traffic accidents is a young person, according to data released in 2012 by the China Traffic Management Bureau. Continental conducted a Youth Safe Driving Awareness and Behavior Survey in cooperation with Safe Kids (China) in 2014. The results show nearly half of interviewees agree that road accidents are preventable, and nearly 80 percent of them agree that addressing drunk driving and speeding can effectively reduce road injuries. However, nearly 50 percent of young interviewees had been a passenger in a vehicle operated by a drunk driver. The survey demonstrates the necessity of continuing to educate young people and promote safe-driving awareness. Ms. Monica Cui, Chief Representative and Executive Director of Safe Kids (China), said: "We strongly believe there are no 'accidental' accidents, but there are preventable injuries. In the past three years, we have seen improvements in the safe driving cognition and behavior of the young people who were involved in the project. By promoting this program, we hope to prevent traffic accidents by helping more young people and the public develop safe driving habits."

About the Youth Safe-Driving Program

Started in 2012 by Continental and Safe Kids Worldwide, the Youth Safe-Driving Program aims to raise young drivers‘ road safety awareness and promote proper safe driving habits that reduce traffic injuries under the theme “Be a Responsible Young Driver.“ The Program was launched in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Lianyungang，benefited over Over 43,600 young people in the past three years. With the support of the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this program is also held at driver examination stations in Shanghai.


Action in Vidin

The fifth action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2015 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Vidin from 11:00 o'clock on the 25th of September 2015. A total of 28 people, out of which 11 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Montana

The fourth action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2015 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Montana from 15:00 o'clock on the 24th of September 2015. A total of 63 people, out of which 28 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Vratsa

The third action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2015 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Pernik from 11:00 o'clock on the 24th of September 2015. A total of 94 people, out of which 41 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Pernik

The second action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2015 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Pernik from 15:00 o'clock on the 23rd of September 2015. A total of 34 people, out of which 13 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


Action in Sofia county

The first action, part of the "Drive responsibly and courteously" 2015 campaign in Bulgaria, took part in Bojurishte, Sofia county, from 11:00 o'clock on the 23rd of September 2015. A total of 22 people, out of which 9 young road users, took part in the joint action of the Bulgarian Traffic Police and the iRED youth workers and animators.


“Drive responsibly and courtously“ pressconference in Sofia

On September 23rd, 2015 at 10:30 in Chief Directorate “National Police”, Ministry of Interior, 1 “Alexander Malinov” Blvd. with an official pressconference iRED kicked-off the 2015 “Drive responsibly and courteously” campaign. Representatives of sixteen media honoured the event. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness among young drivers about the importance of being courteous on the road. The campaign will comprise of five special police operations using the broader control in combination with positive intervention of iRED representatives of towards encouraging responsible driving and reduction of road aggression and driving under influence of drugs and alcohol at the beginning of the school year. The campaign will visit the districts of Sofia (September 23), Pernik (September 23), Vratsa (September 24), Montana (September 24) and Vidin (September 25).


IMPACT training in Vidin, Bulgaria

The final training in the framework of the project was delivered in Vidin, Bulgaria, on the 10th of July 2015. Besides the three iRED youth workers, five animators took part in it.


IMPACT training in Brussels, Belgium

On the 3rd of July 2015, the iRED team of trainers carried out the youth workers and animators training in Brussels. This was the training with the most participants - 15 in total, including the two iRED trainers, four RYD youth workers and seven animators. We were also honoured to welcome two representatives of the European Commission.


IMPACT training in Shanghai, China

The IMPACT training in Shanghai, China, took place on the 18th of May 2015. The two iRED trainers worked with the very motivated ZBH team of five animators and three youth workers. Additionally a meeting with local partners was organized, such as the Shanghai CDC and Continental China.


IMPACT training in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The third training in the framework of the IMPACT project was carried out on the 20th of April 2015 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The two iRED trainers met with the very motivated MINU team. The training itself was delivered to the three youth workers and six animators. Additionally we had a capacity building meeting with representatives of the Argentinian Road Safety Agency and the Ibero-American Road Safety Observatory.


IMPACT training in Debrecen, Hungary

The second project training was hosted by HAHA and took part on the 7th of April in Debrecen. The two iRED trainers worked on vulnerable road safety issues not only with the three HAHA youth workers and the five anaminator but also with representatives of the local traffic Police and other road safety NGOs.


IMPACT training in Oradea, Romania

The first training of youth workers and animators in the framework of the project took part on the 6th of April 2015. Two iRED representatives took part in it together with three youth workers and five animators from PIHE.


Кick-off meeting

The IMPACT project kick-off meeting will be carried out from 25th to 28th of March 2015 in Vienna, Austria. It will be hosted by FACTUM. All project partners will send their coordinators to share their experience, discuss and develop the project strategy in details, including project logic and visiuals, evalution, national campaigns, recruitment of animators and public relations.