European program to help Ukrainian motorists learn safe driving
With the start of summer vacations the number of traffic accidents dramatically increases because parents leave their children to roam about freely. Statistics gathered by the Ukrainian interior ministry’s Traffic Control Department (DAI) indicate that in the past four months 57 children have suffered injuries in Kyiv alone.
Traffic patrolmen say that the main cause of road accidents in Ukraine is the lack of a driving and pedestrian culture, although they mostly blame motorists. Accidents occur most often because drivers do not use seatbelts, exceed the speed limit, and ignore pedestrian crossings. Experts are convinced that the problem is not so much the condition of our roads and automobiles as the lack of common sense.
“Observe traffic rules!” “Keep your car in running order!” “Be careful behind the wheel!” “When you take risks, you are a threat to others!” These are just a few of the 10 simple traffic rules that are part of the Eurocar Company’s program “European Autoculture.” By observing these rules, you can prevent traffic accidents.
“There are objective reasons for road accidents: inadequate road and highway capacity, their condition, aging cars on the road; in Ukraine only 15 percent of all cars are new,” says Eurocar’s Maryna Yakovleva. “But what are we supposed to do about speeding and rude drivers? This is what’s increasing the number of accidents, and adults and children are suffering injuries. I’m sure that the situation will change only when people do, when they realize what the problem’s all about and change their attitude.”
The nationwide social program “European Autoculture” will develop in several directions. The first is aimed at educating drivers and pedestrians; the second, protecting the environment; and the third will target different population groups. “The educational part of our project mostly concerns children,” Yakovleva explains. “Children are the easiest to teach and the quickest to learn. If we can organize this kind of education at daycare centers and schools, we will have disciplined drivers and pedestrians. I think this should become part of the adults’ educational process.
“As for environmental protection, we’re working in two directions. The first is called an “economizing rally,” which encourages car travel choices that minimize emissions. The second one promotes ecologically safe engines. The third component of our project is designed to protect certain vulnerable population groups, particularly blind people. Together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs we will be installing special traffic lights with loudspeakers for the seeing impaired, so that they can feel safe crossing the street.”
The organizers note that the “European Autoculture” program is just the first step in drawing public attention to the global problem of traffic safety, the introduction of rules governing ethical behavior on the roads, and the start of broad public discussions of Ukraine’s traffic culture. Experts agree that it is important to convince people to switch from the “outer aspect” of road behavior — rules that everyone is supposed to observe — to “inner culture” and to observe traffic rules that must exist in reality, not on paper. Progress is possible only through joint efforts that are aimed at raising the cultural standard of drivers, pedestrians, DAI inspectors, and all concerned citizens.
