EASST Partner The Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM) together with “ProtectMD” Foundation, the Wife of the Head of EU Delegation in Moldova Mrs. Olga Shumylo-Tapiola, and the Wife of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Moldova Mrs. Jo Batson, organised a series of follow up actions to its “Bright, Seen and Safe” fundraising event previously carried out in May 2014. Mrs Batson with Mrs Shumylo-Tapiola and the ACM team this summer have been distributing high vis reflectors to children and other road safety materials in their aim to reduce the number of child fatalities on the road in Moldova.
The first action took place on 22nd August 2014 at the “Walkerhaus” Centre for vulnerable children from Chiperceni village, Orhei, where more than 100 reflectors were donated. The ACM representatives explained to the children how and why to use the reflectors and other road traffic rules they must respect on their journey to and from school. The children also received games other materials provided by Traffic Club and EASST.
Mrs Batson, Mrs Shumylo-Tapiola and the ACM distribute over 100 high vis materials to children vulnerable on the roads
The primary goal of this action by the ACM is to reduce the number of child fatalities on the road – all of which are preventable. In 2013, 21 children died in road crashes in Moldova and another 545 were seriously injured. A main cause has been identified as the poor street lighting in towns and villages, causing children to have to walk long distances in the dark. The number of deaths and injuries can therefore be significantly decreased with one simple item – reflective material – to make children more visible.
