THE EAGLE. A booklet to also be distributed in schools to reduce the number of fatal road accidents in the province of L’Aquila, where there is an incidence higher than the national average. Yesterday morning the prefect Giancarlo Di Vincenzothe general secretary of the national ACI Gerardo Capozza and the president of the L’Aquila Automobile Club Marfisa Luciani they presented an information booklet drawn up by the Road Accident Observatory, an institute chaired by the prefect. This is an initiative aimed at raising awareness among all citizens, especially young people, about the phenomenon of road accidents and the need to take further steps forward with regards to bad driving behaviour. The commissioner attended the presentation Enrico De Simonethe head of the Abruzzo-Molise territorial structure of Anas Antonio Marasco and members of the Observatory.
MORTALITY DATA IN THE PROVINCE
The data is impressive. In the province of L’Aquila, in 2022, (the 2023 data are not yet consolidated), there were 545 accidents with 13 victims and 819 injured. The mortality rate, or victims per 100 accidents, reaches 2.4 percent, a very high figure, higher than the national average which stops at 1.9% and the regional average which stands at 2.1. The vehicles involved are mainly cars, 81% of them, also because this is the largest number of vehicles in circulation (217,263, 77% of the total). Unfortunately, the number of motorcycles involved in accidents is increasing (+39% compared to 2019). The first three causes of accidents, the Observatory recalls, are failure to respect signs, speed and distracted or indecisive driving.
A LOADED GUN
“Every motorist who gets into his car must think that he has a loaded gun in his hand.” With these words the national secretary of the ACI, Gerardo Capozza, tries to make motorists responsible to convince them to use their means of transport correctly. “The rules are not against motorists, they are designed to save their lives,” he continued, “and every time you get into your vehicle, you must be aware that you have your own life and that of others in your hands.”
SANCTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH
The rules are there, the controls too, we need to intervene on the culture of those who take to the streets. The prefect underlined «the importance of combining the constant control work of the police with responsible and aware behavior on the part of road users. Failure to comply with the rules is a danger to oneself and others and has a social cost that impacts the community.”
A ROAD CULTURE
For Capozza it is necessary to acquire a «road culture. Distraction”, he recalled, “is the main cause of accidents. Added to this are speed, failure to respect rules and personal safety systems, alcohol and drug abuse. This booklet was born from the need to make people understand that safety is good for everyone and everyone must be respected on the road.”
A SERVICE FOR THE DEAF-MUTE
The president of Aci L’Aquila has announced an important service available from May. «This is a service reserved for vulnerable users who will have an interpreter specialized in sign language at their disposal. A fundamental service on the social inclusion front and intended for people with hearing problems”, said Marfisa Luciani. «With the help of video communication and the Evoluzione Lis call center, these people will be able to communicate with our offices without obstacles». Another initiative of the Aci will be the driving courses for over 1,000 finance students.
KILLER BEHAVIORS
“There are no killer roads,” said Antonio Marasco, “but killer behaviors: cell phones, speed, failure to wear seat belts and helmets, children left loose in cars.” “The rules are there and we carry out continuous checks,” he recalled Daniela Pasqua, commander of the Traffic Police Department. “But sanctions alone are not enough.”
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