40% of the people killed by traffic accidents in the province of A Coruña are vulnerable users: pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Hence the importance of the awareness campaign that the General Directorate of Traffic and the Civil Traffic Guard are carrying out this week on the roads of the province.
María Rivas has supervised the development of this campaign that ends this Sunday, May 14, together with the Provincial Traffic Chief of A Coruña, Victoria Gómez and the Captain of Traffic Subsector, Miguel Soldán.
Of the 42 people who died in traffic accidents in A Coruña in 2022, 17 were vulnerable users. Of these, 11 were pedestrians, 5 motorcyclists and one, cyclist. According to the data provided by the DGT, all the deceased pedestrians were over 80 years old, they traveled in straight areas with poor visibility but not necessarily at night and did not wear reflective clothing.
As far as this first quarter of the year is concerned, there have been eight deaths due to road traffic accidents in the province. Of these, three were for running over and one by accident on a Quad. In other words, half of the population was vulnerable.
The campaign focuses on awareness-raising and pursues a twofold objective. On the one hand, to make pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists aware of their vulnerability on the road and to remember the need to make themselves visible and use specific protection systems such as helmets, as well as appropriate clothing for riding bicycles and motorcycles.
The second major objective of the campaign is to make drivers aware of the high risk exposure of these vulnerable groups and the need to maintain a constant level of alertness to their presence on the road.
During the development of the campaign, traffic agents of the Civil Guard are delivering reflective vests to pedestrians who travel along the tracks without making use of this type of clothing. In addition, triptychs are also distributed to cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers.
The awareness-raising work carried out by the DGT is complemented by informative talks by the Civil Guard and delivery of reflective clothing to vulnerable groups in municipalities in the province.
More than 600 vests delivered and 24 informative talks
Since last September, 600 vests have already been delivered and talks have been given in 24 municipalities. María Rivas highlighted the importance of these talks and thanked the efforts of the Civil Guard and the collaboration of the municipalities “since it is precisely on interurban roads that the greatest risk of atrocities is found since they are the places through which many of the people who live in rural municipalities walk”.
The government’s deputy has stressed that “we cannot afford one more death for this or any other cause on our roads.”
Vulnerable users are those who, either because of their physical characteristics or because of the means of travel used, are most likely to be involved in a traffic accident or to be killed or injured as a result of it.
School Transportation Control Campaign
During her visit to the Provincial Traffic Headquarters, María Rivas has been interested in the next campaign that will be launched by the DGT dedicated to the control of School Transport between May 22 and 26. During that week it is
Inspections will be carried out on vehicles (authorisations and documents, technical conditions and safety elements, belts and restraint systems) and on drivers (driving licence, driving times and breaks), especially on conventional roads and on urban roads.