Safe Motorists

The attitudes and abilities of people as regards driving are still key factors for the analysis of the causes of road accidents. Statistics have shown us again, that there has been stagnation in the reduction of road accident injuries and fatalities in recent years, and that it is necessary to continue insisting on raising awareness and road education, which are aspects that are dealt with intensively at the Foundation. One of the actions carried out in this field was the collaboration with Fundación Agrupación in the organisation of a seminar named Sleep and Driving, bad travel partners, which showed that sleep and tiredness are, behind drugs and alcohol, the third factor with the highest relevance in road accidents. This was already alerted in the study drawn-up in 2013, Fatigue, a risk factor for drivers.

Another relevant factor as regards the stagnation of the reduction of road accidents are driving distractions. The study Driver distraction: an unperceived risk, published in 2008, already defined distractions as the main cause of road accidents in Spain, as they were found in 34% of the accidents with victims. Eight years later, the increasing use of smartphones plays an even more fundamental role in road accidents. The survey carried out by the Foundation in 2016, among one thousand users, showed that one out of every four drivers declares to use the mobile phone very often while driving and that this type of distraction is involved in 30% of the accidents. These are very high percentages that force to raise awareness of users about these risks in order to achieve a safer mobility.

By means of educational activities, the RACC wants to raise awareness among children and young people about attitudes and best practices as pedestrians, travellers and motorists, with the aim of improving the mobility conditions and road safety for society as a whole. The RACC Educa programme and the Young People and Driving Contest promote respect and responsibility among all mobility users.

Av. Diagonal, 687
08028 Barcelona
www.fundacionracc.es
ISSN 2013-4371