Czech Republic enjoys a lively Road Safety Week

The Czech Republic’s United Nations Global Road Safety Week kicked off on Monday 6 May 2013 in Central Park in Prague with fun family activities. Visitors to the Park tried out the driving simulator for cars and motorbikes and the city police created a traffic playground for schoolchildren. A car crash simulator demonstrated the importance of seat belts and an exhibition by the nongovernmental organization LitCom offered the opportunity to experience a simulation of drink–driving.

Road Safety Week was also an opportunity to honour a group of medical students from the city of Chomutov, who gave first aid to a group of people injured in a traffic accident at a pedestrian crossing in April. The director of traffic police, Tomáš Lerch, praising the students for their brave and prompt reactions, said: “For the police, the safety of pedestrians is a long-term priority.”

Political support at the highest levels

The week’s events took place under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Nečas, the Minister of Transport, Zbyněk Stanjura, the Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka, the Police President, Martin Červíček, and the mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, all of whom lent their full support to the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020. It is hoped that the Decade’s activities will save 5 million lives.

The events received extensive media coverage including on national television.