Driving too fast is a leading cause of road fatalities, according to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Region I. Data from the FIA says that an estimated 40%-50% of people drive over the speed limit while a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% decrease in number of fatal crashes. FIA Region I and its members in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are launching a campaign ‘Slowing Down Saves Lives’ and are urging drivers to respect speed limits.
In support of the campaign, FIA President and United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety Jean Todt said, “Remember, speed can kill. By slowing down we make our roads safer for our children, family, and friends. Recently, Patrick Dempsey has joined the FIA’s #3500LIVES Global Road Safety Campaign to promote the ‘Slow Down for Kids’ rule. We are happy that famous ambassadors have agreed to help us make road safety a priority. I support the FIA Region I campaign Slowing Down Saves Lives.”
European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said, “The safety of road users is very close to my heart. Everyone deserves the best safety and care when enjoying the benefits that mobility brings. We are working towards Vision Zero for road fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. This can only be achieved if we all come together and work towards this goal. I’m therefore grateful to FIA Region I for its consistent drive towards better safety through its campaigns, including Slowing Down Saves Lives. Speed is one of the main killers on our roads and we must do much more to raise awareness about it. Slowing down really does save lives!”
FIA Region I President, Thomas Møller Thomsen said, “Speeding is a recurrent issue in advanced economies and developing countries alike. Many people need to be reminded to respect speed limits. Slowing Down Saves Lives urges drivers to remember that increased speed means increased risk. We all want to get home safe, so the next time you are behind the wheel I hope you remember to respect the speed limits.”
Slowing Down Saves Lives shows how braking distances differ dramatically with even small increases in speed. It aims to urge drivers to respect speed limits. It has been launched during the EU mobility Week and on the European Day Without A Road Death (Project EDWARD) and was held in support of TISPOL’s efforts to reduce traffic fatalities via this initiative.
