In the framework of the 25th “Entretiens Jacques Cartier” and of the 63rd Permanent Commission of cooperation between Quebec and France, both countries joined by Belgium organise on 20th and 21st of November 2012 in Lyon, a Conference dedicated to the topic of “Youth and Road Safety”.

At global level road safety is an issue for young adolescents and young adults. This Conference will be an opportunity of sharing experiences, good practices and solutions to be implemented.  As a follow-up of the European Road Safety Day organised in Cyprus in July 2012 it will also be the moment to listen to young people associations and to accompany them in the actions they are developping.You can find the programme and you can register on the website links in the attachment.

Recently, the VOLVO Group enabled a roundtable discussion on the future of mobility. There is no doubt that our mobility has advanced over the past decades, maybe beyond recognition. Long gone are the days of mobility on for the wealthy in most of the world with most people travelling around in a contemporary society with some ease. However, this advancement in mobility also poses challenges, that of road safety, urban development and is interconnected to a range of social issues.

The VOLVO Group brought together a diverse group of young minds to tackle the issues of urban mobility in a modern world. The discussion took on the panel, bringing road safety to the mobility agenda, YOURS Director Mr Floor Lieshout.

The first topic of discussion focused on youth and road traffic injuries, bringing attention to the primary cause of death for young people; road traffic crashes. This starter discussion presented mobility in a unique perspective. While our future mobility will mean getting around quicker, easier and offering routes of transport for young people; it also has a serious consequence; road deaths. Floor began the discussion by asking the group how we can get young people involved in road safety?

Floor highlighted the importance of a safe road safety system; safe vehicles, safe infrastructure and safe road users. He also stated, ‘Young people are the biggest victims but we can also be part of the solution’.

The discussion continued by mapping ways in which young people can be involved in road safety such as through urban transport planning project alongside engineers to understand their projects.  Next, there was a focus on road safety campaigns and the impact of raising road safety awareness. The discussion touched on several areas of road safety offering an interesting insight into youth involvement in road safety.

The discussion can be viewed in the right column.

Our CORE Group Representative for the Western Pacific Region Mr Joel Tucker, in his professional capacity, works for the Royal Automobile Club Queensland (RACQ) liaises with public relations organizations focusing or road safety issues in Australia. Recently, Joel explored the claim from RACQ members that distracted driving has become a bigger problem than in the last five years because the lack of enforcement to curb the use of mobile phones behind the wheel.

A majority of Queensland (Australia) motorists say police need to do more to enforce road rules with driver distraction at record levels, according to the latest member research by the State’s peak motoring body.

RACQ Senior Road Safety Advisor Joel Tucker said the research showed the use of mobile-phones was one of the biggest causes of driver inattention among the Club’s 1.2 million members.

“Alarmingly, 88 percent of those surveyed said that driver distraction is an even bigger problem now than it was five years ago,” Mr Tucker said. “Our research shows more than 90 percent of RACQ members want better law enforcement when it comes to the use hand-held phones while behind the wheel.”

Mr Tucker also said that more drivers had reported being distracted while behind the wheel than before.

“The results show that hand-held mobile phones aren’t the only concern for drivers; 31.8 percent of those surveyed said they were distracted by hands-free mobile phones, which was up from 29 percent last year,” he said.

“More than 57 percent of members have admitted to being distracted when adjusting stereo settings; 53.1 percent when eating and drinking; and 23.3 percent said they were distracted when entering GPS settings.”

Although drivers reported smoking as the least likely distraction behind the wheel, almost 60 percent of those who do smoke admitted it was a cause of inattention – an increase of 32.7 percent.

Mr Tucker said all motorists have a duty to drive safely for themselves and other road users.

“These results show that driver distraction continues to be a real issue on Queensland roads on a daily basis,” he said.

“Our members believe a stronger enforcement of the road rules, particularly where hand-held mobile phones are concerned, could help reduce these distractions. We’d also like to see better community education about the impacts of driver distraction resulting from mobile phone use – hands-free or otherwise.”

Mr Tucker stressed the need for all motorists to stick to the road rules.

“By taking your attention off the road, you are putting yourself at a greater risk of crashing and injuring not only yourself but others. Allowing you to be distracted by a phone call, email or text message is not only dangerous but illegal. If you have to answer the phone, pull over or wait until you arrive at your destination. It’s just common sense.”

Today, the amitious and inspiring Caravane project launched its 50 day journey across West Africa. The launch was started in its first country of operation, Niamey – Niger and will greet thousands of young people on its journey. The event was held at the Palais des Congress (Congress Palace Niger) in the Presence of the Minister of Transport Niger, The Minister of Youth Niger and the Governor of Niger.

Director of YOURS – Youth for Road Safety Mr Floor Lieshout delivered a speech to the press conference launching the Caravane and its content is here below:

Your excellencies, distinguished guests, my fellow youth delegates, friends.

Today, we are witnessing a historic occasion that marks significant action for road safety in West Africa. I am proud of the collaboration between West Africa and Europe and may we continue our fruitful partnership for our noble cause. I am absolutely honored and privileged to be here in Niger. Firstly, I must thank our YOURS Coordinator for the francophone countries in the African Region, Mr. Aliou Oumarou for his continuous efforts to reduce road traffic injuries in his country; for championing youth and road safety issues all throughout Africa and being a true global ambassador for road safety.

Secondly I thank our European coordinator Mr. Axl Druart who, in collaboration with the UEMOA took the idea of the Caravane project, this vibrant, ambitious and groundbreaking project into a reality with the strong support of the European Commission. The Caravane will begin its journey today. It will begin its 50 day trip and greet thousands of young people in Niger, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cote dÍvoir, Mali and Senegal. The Caravane advocates for road safety and will also help to create young people who are aware of road safety throughout these countries. Beyond the 50 days, the Caravane project will leave a lasting legacy of concrete road safety action in Africa and show that Africa and Europe work together, hand in hand, to save lives on our roads and help lift some of the burden of road crashes in Africa.

Road traffic injuries are the biggest cause of death for young people. It kills more young people than HIV, Malaria and TBC. The road fatality rate per 100.000 population is for the African region 32.2, while the world average is 18.8 fatalities. Road users most likely to be involved in a road crash are pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, and passengers. Road crashes cost US$ 65 billion in low and middle-income countries, exceeding the total amount received in development assistance. This is unacceptable.

Yesterday, our delegation of youth and road safety organizations from seven countries adopted the African Youth Declaration for Road Safety. This declaration is a statement from African youth, they no longer want to see their friends, loved ones and family die because of road crashes. They no longer want to risk their lives every time they have to travel to work, to school, or to visit friends. They no longer want to see families plunged into poverty because the breadwinner is disabled by a road crash.

This declaration urges action, in line with the Decade of Action for Road Safety. It calls upon African decision makers to create a safe road environment. 1)    We urge you to create in collaboration with all stakeholders, a national plan for road safety that put people first and have a lead agency responsible for its implementation. 2)    We ask you to create a safe infrastructure; invest in safe footpaths, cycle-ways and crossing points especially around schools. 3)    To engage and involve young people in road safety and invest in youth non-governmental organizations for road safety awareness programs among their peers. 4)    In addition we call upon decision makers who have the power to save young African lives to enforce road traffic laws on the use of seatbelts and helmets, set speed limits, distracted driving and a zero tolerance for impaired driving.

Your excellencies, distinguished guests, we are obliged to change this alarming statistic. Road crashes remain the biggest killer of young people in Africa and the world. Today, the Caravane will work to challenge this statistic. We wholeheartedly endorse its mission.

Together, we can make our road safer. Together we are powerful partners for road safety, youth and experienced generation. Together, we will make roads safe.

Thank you for your time.

A video of the speech and the launch will be available shortly.