Today, 26 September, during European Mobility Week (European Mobility Week), police officers from European countries are carrying out activities as part of the EDWARD 2019 project.

Polish National Police Headquarters:

The initiators of the EDWARD project believe that the key to improving road safety is, to a large extent, changing the behaviour 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.

“Safe driver” pledge

“My commitment… to take special care of road safety…

I promise that:

  • I will remind my family members, friends and acquaintances to take special care of road safety
  • To improve safety, I will ensure that I and my vehicle are properly lit
  • I will drive as safely as possible, regardless of the type of vehicle I am using (car, motorcycle, bicycle)
  • I will pay particular attention to pedestrians, cyclists, children, older people and horse riders
  • I will travel at permitted and safe speeds
  • I will pay attention to the condition of my vehicle’s tyres
  • I will exercise particular caution when driving near schools and in places where groups of children are present
  • I will never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, drugs or illicit medication that could slow my reactions
  • I will be a careful driver and will maintain safe distances between vehicles
  • I will always wear my seat belt and make sure that all passengers are wearing theirs
  • I will not use a mobile phone while driving
  • I will make sure that nothing inside or outside the vehicle, or in my mind, distracts me
  • I will set a good example for my passengers by driving safely and calmly
  • If I am a passenger, I will make sure that the driver is fully fit and legally permitted to get behind the wheel.

Last year’s #ProjectEDWARD campaign had a huge impact on social media, reaching 25 million people on Twitter on the day of the event (19 September) and achieving a total reach of 37.2 million from 11 June to 21 September.

TISPOL’s long-term goal is to use the EDWARD project to promote road safety and significantly reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries in Europe and, in the longer term, around the world.

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

This year, from 19 to 26 September, the EDWARD project is additionally supported by the broadcast of campaign spots on Screen Network S.A. screens featuring slogans addressed to road users:

  • “Driver, slow down! Speed kills!”
  • “Drive safely – everything else can wait!”
  • “Stop road aggression!”
  • “Do not use your phone while driving”
  • “Buckle up! Safety comes first”
  • “Take your foot off the gas!”
  • “Do not take shortcuts”.

Polish National Police Headquarters:

Drivers have the greatest impact on safety when, knowingly or otherwise, they engage in behaviour that endangers 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 a phone without a hands-free kit, blocking pedestrian crossings, parking on cycle paths or carrying out risky manoeuvres. 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.

The officers add:

That is why TISPOL would like every road user to feel part of the EDWARD project and, through their behaviour and actions, contribute—even to a small degree—to improving road safety.