OSCE Mission, Kosovo police launch traffic safety campaign
PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 8 October 2010 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the police today launched a public information campaign that aims to reduce Kosovo's high level of traffic accidents.
The campaign encourages drivers to think about how their behaviour might cause injuries and deaths. It also informs about the fines associated with speeding, failing to wear a seat-belt, failing to give way to pedestrians and going through red lights. An OSCE Mission-sponsored a traffic safety campaign in 2008 reduced the number of accidents by 7 percent in the following months.
"We hope that this campaign will create safer traffic conditions for all in Kosovo," said Carsten Twelmeier, the director of the OSCE Mission's security and public safety department.
Last year, Kosovo police recorded 12,257 accidents related to speeding, 176 of which resulted in deaths. In addition, 365 accidents related to going through red lights and non-compliance with traffic rules, and 45 accidents involving drivers not stopping at pedestrian crossings were recorded.
"Kosovo police is doing its best to control traffic and reduce the number of accidents," said Shpend Maxhuni, the general deputy director for operations in Kosovo police. "We, however, need the drivers to do their part. We need them to drive responsibly, respect speed limits and help protect their own and lives of others.".
The campaign involves advertisements to be broadcast on television and displayed on billboards as well as the distribution of 300,000 campaign leaflets by traffic police safety patrols.
The OSCE Mission supports the development of Kosovo's public safety institutions to promote a safe environment.
The TV ads are available on OSCE YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C27CB990CB3AFDEF