#SlowDown takes over Chisinau

EASST partner, the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM), took over Chisinau last week with a full programme of events to mark the Fourth UN Global Road Safety Week in collaboration with the National Patrolling Inspectorate, the Moldovan Parliament, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with support from the FIA and FIA Foundation, EASST, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations in Moldova and the Theatre of Young Talents ‘Oratorul’.

The week was hugely successful with engagement and cooperation from all sectors of society calling on drivers to #slowdown. Read more below.

Celebrities take to the cause

An impressive line-up of local celebrities from the world of culture and sport officially endorsed the #slowdown campaign. A special photo call was arranged with the ACM team with images being broadcast on billboards and screens across the city to remind drivers why it is important to respect speed limits and drive safely, targeting areas with particularly high crash rates.

Moldovan Parliament Exhibition

On 10th May, an exhibition of children’s drawings were displayed at the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. The exhibition included drawings and other artwork promoting road traffic safety by the children of Minerva, Universul, Kiril and Metodiu, and Stefan cel Mare lyceums in Chisinau, as well as the Petre Ştefănucă lyceum in Ialoveni, which were on display to MPs, including Parliamentary Speaker and new Road Safety Ambassador Andrian Candu as well as diplomats and other international organisations attending the event.

Roundtable discussion on speed management and enforcement

A multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion dedicated to the issue of speeding on Moldovan roads was held at the General Police Inspectorate (GPI) Headquarters involving the Chief of the GPI, the National Patrolling Inspectorate, the Automobile Club of Moldova, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure, the Theatre of Young Talents ‘Oratorul’, local band Brio Sonores, the Bikers of Moldova as well as other civil society representatives.

Participants discussed the main risks associated with excessive speeding, as well as other issues related to road safety in Moldova, including driver behavior. Proposals were put forward as regards future collaborations and as special guests, Brio Sonores were actively engaged in proposing different solutions for promoting road safety in Moldova.

#SlowDown around schools

Global Road Safety Week continued at the “Stefan cel Mare” Lyceum in Chisinau where the ACM, in collaboration with the National Patrolling Inspectorate and Oratorul, arranged a flash-mob involving 100 young people. Wearing reflective vests and #SlowDown t-shirts, they stood on the roadside holding banners and speed limit signs to remind drivers of the importance of safe driving and speed limit reduction, especially around schools.

Europe Day

On 9th May Europe Day was also marked in Chisinau with a special festival in the European Town of the “Stefan cel Mare si Sfant” public garden. The ACM, in collaboration with the National Patrolling Inspectorate, set up a ‘road safety corner’ within the festival, including a mobile road safety playground. They explained to visitors the risks associated with speeding and offered information, stickers, brochures, and reflective wristbands as well as encouraging everyone to sign up to the #slowdown pledge.

Commercial fleets take the pledge

The Chisinau Trolley Bus Company and Gas Natural Fenosa Company, both members of the ‘Safe Driving for Life’ Working Group, also joined the campaign, signing the pledges to obey the speed limits and to be exemplary drivers.

UN support to save lives

In recognition of the week UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Moldova, Ms. Dafina Gercheva, filmed this video message in support of the campaign and signed the pledge to #slowdown