After joining the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, the Republic of Moldova identified one of its main objectives as the enhancement of both children’s knowledge and society’s awareness of road safety.
Recognising this objective, the final stage of the Road Safety for Life competition was held in Leova on 20th May 2012, organised by the Road Police, the Ministry of Education, and EASST partner the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM).
The competition involves school children of different districts of Moldova who prepare a team presentation and poster design on the theme of road safety. The children also compete in figure cycling, first aid, and traffic sign and rule knowledge. Other partners and sponsors of the contest are Drivers’ Union, Orange SA, BMW Auto Space, Elita 5 and Coca Cola.
Mr. Sergiu Armasu, Chief of the Road Police, reiterated his full support to the young generation in accumulating knowledge about road safety and urged the participants to act as an example of respectful road behaviour to others.
By participating in this competition, the children demonstrated a profound knowledge of road safety issues.
The results were announced as follows:
- First place – the “Zebra” team from the Theoretical Lyceum “Mihail Berezovschi”, Chisinau;
- Second place – the “Svetoforia” team, Glodeni;
- Third place – the “Traffic Lights” team, Comrat.
The winning school is equipped with a “Road Safety Playground” with road traffic control systems, traffic lights, road markings and road signs, as a true example of promoting and cultivating practical skills among young road participants. As 2011 winners, the town of Leova is now equipped with such a playground. As the 2012 winner, the next playground for children will be built in the capital Chisinau.
The Automobile Club of Moldova supports all national activities relating to road safety and specifically those involving children as the number of road accidents involving infants is high.
The ACM is confident that such activities will improve the road culture and will reduce the number of cases of child road traumas and deaths.
