In 2001, the European Union has set the target of “halving the number of road deaths by 2010”. In the 3rd European Road Safety Action Programme adopted in June 2003, the Commission proposed to implement a large number of measures ranging from encouraging road users to improve their behaviour, making vehicles safer and improving road infrastructures.Where road-users’ behaviour is concerned, it appears from available data that the main causes for fatal accidents are speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and non-use of a seat belt.To change the behaviour of road users regarding drink-driving, IBSR, Arnoldus and The Amsterdam Group1 are co-ordinating a large number of designated driver campaigns across Europe. Supported by the Commission, they believe that an overall approach is needed combining police checks, (i.e., enforcement of current legislation) with education and awareness campaigns.One answer regarding education and awareness campaigns on drink-driving has been the development and implementation of the concept of the designated driver which was initiated first in Belgium in 1995 under the “Bob” name. Since then, and as a result of the political and financial support of the European Union, an increasing number of “designated driver campaigns” have been started in Europe. This brochure includes the report made by each Campaign Manager for their national campaign implemented in 2003 with the financial support of the Commission but also without. All these campaigns are based on the common principle of the designated driver concept: the designated driver is the person who does not drink when he has to drive and who drives the rest of the party home safely. The implementation of this concept varies from country to country to reflect local situations and cultures. The campaigns are predominantly executed in public/private partnerships between the National Road Safety Institutes and Social Aspects Organisations funded by the alcohol producers.In countries where these campaigns were run for a number of years, the concept has achieved considerable awareness. Campaign results start to show a change in behaviour as a still increasing number of people recognise that they have applied the concept. However, it is not always easy to link these positive results in road-users awareness with road fatalities or injuries statistics as not all countries have a reliable database available on the origin of accidents. IBSR, Arnoldus and the Amsterdam Group will continue their joint effort to promote the designated driver concept to more countries, in particular to the new countries joining the EU this year. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting