[size=55:3a06uxmn]BNR

Bulgaria prepares Road Safety Strategy 2011 – 2020

1.3 mln. people are killed in road accidents each year, while other 50 mln. remain mutilated. The prognosis for the next decade is for almost 2 mln. victims per year, if no one takes any measures. And those are different worldwide. The Decade of Action for Road Safety has started under the auspices of the UN. Bulgaria entered that initiative too with series of events that will have to attract more public attention to this really serious problem.
One of these events was a National Round Table, entitled Increasing of the Role of Institutions and Organizations within the Prevention of Road Accidents with Participation of Their Employees.



775 people were killed in traffic collisions in Bulgaria last year only /the population is a bit over 7 mln./. Economic losses from that kind of accidents come up to 2 percent from GDP, with mainly young people as victims” – Secretary of State and Public Commission for Control of Road Safety and Traffic Aleksi Kesyakov says. Bulgaria prepares a Road Safety Strategy 2011 – 2020, which includes basic measures for prevention. Some of those are a better education for traffic participants, improvement of road infrastructure, regarding road marking and safety of vehicles, Mr. Kesyakov says and adds:
“One should bear in mind that the problems of road infrastructure are really bigger than the ones, related to the discipline of those, who take part in the traffic. Road surface marking should always be perfect, it should send clear messages to drivers, as well as the whole road infrastructure. At the moment there are legal gaps, regarding its construction. The roadside space is also a killer – some 300 people die each year, after collisions with trees, pillars and other obstructions along the roads.”
The new road safety strategy will stimulate the purchase of modern and more secure vehicles, since the old, worn-out and technically defected ones cause a major part of road accidents in this country. The medical assistance, given on time, is essential for decreasing of the number of people, killed and injured in traffic accidents. So the new strategy provides special measures, which include medical teams on regular duties on the highways, ERs around the basic road arteries etc.

Shell Bulgaria gives a good example for corporate responsibility, regarding road safety. Operational Control Manager of Shell Dimitar Tsenev talks about some of the rules, implemented by the Bulgarian branch of the company back in 2009:
“Above all, no drugs or alcohol are allowed on duty. Excessive speed and usage of mobile phones are banned too. Our drivers should not work over 12 hours without interruption, as the law allows 15 hours. Safety bells must be used and the planned route should be strictly followed – time of leaving, route, rests etc.”