16 September 2020
Press Release
First ROADPOL Safety Days launched
For Immediate Release
Heinz Albert Stumpen, the General Secretary, Volker Orben, the President and Egbert-Jan van Hasselt, the now former vice president at the beginning of the kick-off event”
Mainz, Germany: Today, ROADPOL, the European network of traffic police forces, launched the very first ROADPOL Safety Days – a Europe-wide campaign to raise awareness of road safety. The aim of the initiative is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities – currently up to 70 per day across Europe – to zero, at least for one day.
From now on, the ROADPOL Safety Days will take place every year alongside the European Mobility Week that runs from 16 until 22 September. Activities vary across countries, but one central element of the campaign is counting the number of road deaths on 17 September, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero fatalities at least on that day. A full list of events taking place across Europe this week can be found on the dedicated campaign website – participation is open to everyone: from citizens to cities, NGOs, companies, schools, universities etc.. Road users are also invited to sign the campaign’s pledge, to show their support and spread the message.
Representatives from the German regional government, international organisations, civil society as well as the private sector came together for ROADPOL’s virtual kick-off event – one highlight being a panel discussion, featuring experts in transport safety, violence and injury prevention, as well as in campaigning road safety. During today’s event, participants were also able to witness a roadside check in action, carried out by Mainz Police – one of the many activities of the ROADPOL Safety Days.
Volker Orben, ROADPOL’s president, points out, that “Traffic enforcement is the core task for European traffic police and we are taking our role seriously: Our campaign ROADPOL SAFETY DAYS highlights that everyone can contribute to safer roads if she or he obeys the traffic rules. Our clear message is: we do not like having to remind you about that with a fine, but we will! Stay alive and safe lives!
Matthew Baldwin, European Coordinator for Road Safety, European Commission, concluded: “It’s clear that this campaign is launched in very extraordinary times, but the ongoing pandemic hasn’t reduced the importance of road safety! Last year and in Europe alone, an estimated 22 800 people lost their lives in a road crash – this is unacceptable and I’m glad that traffic police forces all across Europe have teamed up to use their critical role on road traffic law enforcement to raise awareness of this issue. Once more, congratulations to ROADPOL on the launch of this important campaign – let’s stay alive and save lives together!”
See the press conference on Youtube
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ITALIAN TRAFFIC POLICE 
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