A new European project called VOICE (Vulnerable road user organisations in cooperation across Europe) has been launched by the European Transport Safety Council and the following organisations:
AGE - the European Older People’s Platform
ANEC - the European consumer voice in standardisation
EPHA Environment Network
European Child Safety Alliance
EDF - European Disability Forum
EPHA - European Public Health Alliance
European Federation for Transport and Environment
The principle aim of VOICE is to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable road users among EU policy makers so that they more readily accept responsibility for the implementation of the measures necessary for the protection of cyclists and pedestrians.
Every year more than 50.000 people are killed on EU roads, whilst more than three million are injured. Vulnerable road users, such as the cycling child, or the elderly pedestrian, are the most at risk. To transport policy-makers the needs of these vulnerable travellers are frequently somewhat neglected if not forgotten: they have become the "forgotten travellers" of transport policy.
As a result of this neglect they are exposed to risks far above those of the average driver on European roads. For example 5% of road deaths in 2002 were children under 15, making road crashes the leading cause of death for children, whilst cycling and walking have a fatality risk per distance travelled 7-9 times higher than car travel.
The VOICE project has four clearly defined objectives. Each of these objectives corresponds with a specific activity of the campaign.
To lobby EU policy makers to accept their responsibilities and for them to consider the needs of vulnerable road users (see The VOICE Network)
To highlight good and bad practice in road safety policy (see The VOICE Personality)
To push for full implementation of existing measures on the national level (see the VOICE Facts)
To improve (self-enforcing) road design in European Cities (see the VOICE Sites)
Every two months, the project identifies one individual the VOICE Personality in Europe, who has recently acted "irresponsibly" by taking a decision or expressing an opinion or undertaking a behaviour (or failing to do something) that has a negative impact on the safety of vulnerable road users. Individuals that have made a positive contribution to road safety and the protection of vulnerable road users will also be commemorated.
The first VOICE personality was presented to European Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Jacques Barrot. This award is given for his commitment to the European Parliament at his confirmation hearing in September 2004 repeated on his Commission web page that improving road safety will be a top priority during his term of office.
Press release for the first VOICE award.
Click on the image above for a full-size version (Artist: Dagmara Pater)
Voice award to car manufacturer
