The EDWARD project (European Day Without Road Death), European Day Without Road Deaths, has been organized under the patronage of the European Traffic Police Network TISPOL since 2016.

The guiding idea of the project is “Vision Zero”: zero people seriously injured and zero fatalities in road accidents on Europe’s roads on this day. Activities במסגרת the EDWARD 2018 project will be conducted by police officers from European countries 19 September (Wednesday), during European Mobility Week.

The creators of the EDWARD project believe that the key to improving road safety is changing the behavior of road users. On the website https://projectedward.eu/ (available in many language versions) and through social media (Facebook, Twitter), they encourage people to make a “safe driver” pledge.

How do you make the “safe driver” pledge?

I promise that I will:

  • ensure that my vehicle is properly lit
  • drive as safely as possible, regardless of the type of vehicle I use (car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.)
  • pay particular attention to pedestrians, cyclists, children, older people and horse riders
  • travel at permitted and safe speeds
  • pay attention to the condition of my vehicle’s tires
  • take special care when driving near schools and in places where groups of children are present
  • never drive after consuming alcohol, drugs or unauthorized medicines that may slow my reactions
  • be a forward-thinking driver and maintain safe distances between vehicles
  • always wear my seat belt and make sure that all passengers are wearing theirs
  • not use a mobile phone while driving
  • make sure that nothing in the vehicle, outside it or in my mind distracts me
  • set a good example for my passengers by driving safely and calmly
  • if I am a passenger, make sure that the driver is fully fit and legally permitted to sit behind the wheel.

What is TISPOL’s objective?

TISPOL’s long-term objective is to use the EDWARD project to promote road safety and significantly reduce the number of fatalities and seriously injured people on Europe’s roads and, in the longer term, throughout the world.

EDWARD is intended to encourage all road users to reflect on their behavior and attitude when using the roads.

Who has the greatest influence on safety?

Drivers have the greatest influence on safety. Consciously or unconsciously, they engage in behavior that threatens the lives of other road users, for example by exceeding speed limits, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failing to wear seat belts, using mobile phones, parking on cycle paths, blocking pedestrian crossings or performing risky maneuvers.

However, drivers are not the only ones who create dangerous situations. Many cyclists and pedestrians also ignore the rules of safe road use and contribute to collisions and accidents.

That is why TISPOL would like every road user to feel part of the EDWARD project and, through their behavior and conduct, contribute—even to a minimal extent—to improving road safety.