On 12th December, EASST along with our partners from Armenia and Moldova participated in the International Workshop for Road Safety Legislators and launch of the Global Forum for Road Safety Legislators in London organised by the World Health Organisation and the Towards Zero Foundation.
The establishment of the Global Forum for Road Safety Legislators follows a special meeting during the 2nd Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety held in Brasilia last year and will serve as an informal network for parliamentarians with an interest and responsibility for road safety. In his opening speech HRH Prince Michael of Kent called on parliamentarians around the globe to take legislative action and “encourage the implementation of laws and policies to reduce road fatalities”.
Etienne Krug, Director of Management of Non-communicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention at the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted that good legislation around the quality of vehicles, road infrastructure and post-crash trauma care are desperately needed, as well as laws that cover issues such as seat-belt use and drink-driving, and urged legislators to act now. While, Iain Cameron, Chairman of the International Transport Forum/ OECD Safe System Working Group reinforced the importance of a Safe System in achieving zero road deaths and serious injuries with a presentation on the new ITF Report, which can be accessed here.
From Armenia, Naira Karapetyan MP held the seat of co-Chair during the presentations from parliamentarians representing over 13 different countries, across 4 different continents. Taking the lead, Naira presented Armenia’s National Road Safety Action Plan for the next 5 years, emphasising their Safe System approach as Armenia focuses on safe infrastructure, safe vehicles and better emergency health care services to reduce road deaths and injuries.
EASST partner, Serghei Diaconu, reported on his wide-reaching and comprehensive reforms within the Moldovan police service that have curbed corruption and ensured effective enforcement of driving laws. He talked about how the establishment of the National Patrolling Inspectorate, with more female and young police officers, has increased people’s confidence in the police and led to better adherence to driving laws. He said, “It’s all about energy and emotions … There is no reason not to succeed”.
The meeting concluded as parliamentarians voted to adopt the Global Forum for Road Safety Legislators Declaration and were reminded that they all have the potential to make a huge difference.
“We know what a good law looks like, we just need to get it implemented.”
Etienne Krug, Director, Management of Non-communicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention, WHO
