TASHKENT, 7 April 2016 – The implementation of traffic management and effective road safety measures were the focus of an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion for some 40 representatives of the Interior Ministry, Parliament, state agencies, media and civil society, and a two-day seminar for 25 traffic police officers, held in Tashkent from 5 to 7 April. 

The roundtable saw discussions focus on the measures Uzbekistan has been taking in implementing the state programme on traffic safety and ways to strengthen road traffic security. Three experts from Turkey and Serbia shared best practices on traffic management, public awareness campaigns and road safety measures implemented in their countries. Special emphasis was put on the importance of effective communication between different stakeholders with the overall aim of preventing traffic accidents and promoting good practices.

“It is important to maintain a constructive dialogue between different stakeholders involved in implementing newly-adopted regulations aimed at enhancing the efficiency of traffic-safety measures and raising awareness among the population about road-related risks,” said Nataša Rašić, Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

Following the roundtable discussion, officers from the Interior Ministry’s Traffic Safety Police Department enhanced their knowledge during a seminar about best practices in enforcing traffic regulations. The experts from Turkey and Serbia provided a comprehensive overview of the road safety situation in their countries while highlighting the advantages of integrated road systems and new technologies in road safety, including the video control of roads.

The seminar’s participants also exchanged views on new methods of traffic police training and stressed the importance of improving driver education as well as the procedures for granting driver’s licences.

The events were organized in co-operation with the Interior Ministry as part of a joint project aimed at improving the efficiency of traffic safety measures in Uzbekistan.

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MARY, Turkmenistan, 29 April 2016 – A two-day OSCE-organized seminar for 20 officers from the Traffic Control Police Service of Mary province, in southern Turkmenistan, on enhancing their capacity to efficiently manage traffic and safeguard road security, concluded today.

The global road safety situation, traffic control and regulation measures as well as the use of new technologies for ensuring road safety were among the main topics addressed by the training course. International experts shared good practices in conducting effective traffic safety campaigns, and elaborated on road safety risk management and mitigation as well as safety performance indicators.

“Modern means of transportation are changing the world around us. While new types of roads are emerging and infrastructure is being improved, traffic law enforcement bodies are putting much effort to update traffic rules and traffic signals and signs which regulate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians,” said Adam Walendzik, Project Co-ordinator of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Being well aware of the degree of dangers posed by road traffic, the international community has been undertaking several new initiatives aimed at spreading information on road safety issues and their solutions on the global level. It is highly commendable that the Government of Turkmenistan adopted the National Programme for Road Safety for 2015-2017, and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is committed to providing further support in this field.”

The course in Mary was preceded by a similar event in Dashoguz province in northern Turkmenistan, which brought together 21 participants, including officers from the Dashoguz Traffic Control Police Service and representatives of the Dashoguz city municipality.

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ASHGABAT, 16 June 2016 – Officials from the Traffic Control Inspectorate of Turkmenistan’s Interior Ministry and representatives of a local public organization dealing with road safety discussed good practices for promoting road safety awareness at an OSCE-organized three-day seminar that concluded today in Ashgabat.

Shpresa Mulliqi from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo who conducted the seminar talked about the significance of the legal framework for traffic safety, the main factors influencing the road infrastructure and behaviour, including education and culture, as well as ways to raise public awareness about road traffic safety.

The seminar placed special emphasis on the involvement of children and youngsters in awareness-raising activities for pedestrians.

 “Promoting traffic safety is essential for guaranteeing the health and harmonious development of all citizens, including the youngest who represent a group of risk at roads,” said Radovan Znasik, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Our seminar highlights the importance of awareness raising activities in ensuring traffic safety and we hope that the event will be of practical use for the relevant bodies of Turkmenistan as it is committed to upgrading its efforts in the area of promoting traffic safety and designing awareness raising campaigns.”

Participants exchanged views on the role of educational institutions, public organizations and media in raising public awareness on traffic safety. The seminar also covered the main content of traffic safety education, which includes general traffic safety knowledge, and the skills for analyzing and solving problems in traffic activities.

As part of the practical exercises, the participants developed traffic safety awareness messages for different target groups taking into account identified needs, the legal framework, the cultural context and financial implications.

Prior to the seminar, the OSCE expert visited the Traffic Safety School for Children of the Interior Ministry and was familiarized with national road safety campaigns.

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Vienna, VA – The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety has developed a free online toolkit to help organizations strengthen their road safety programs.

Vienna, VA — Registration is open for the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety’s annual conference, set for Oct. 8-11 in Atlanta.

Did you know that July 4th is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes? If you are involved, fines, attorney’s fees and mandatory DUI classes are just some of the things you have to deal with if you make the choice to drink and drive this holiday weekend.

Class is in session! What you need to know when it comes to Traffic Safety 101. Important information such as crash statistics in Delaware, fatalities, deadliest months, as well as how to avoid being a vicitm by following rules of the road. This is one class that you do not want to fail!

Aggressive driving is all around us. Thankfully, we have the safety of seat belts and air bags to protect us. But what about motorcyclists? Imagine the risks that they have to take. The Office of Highway Safety reminds you to practice safe driving behaviors whether you are driving a car, truck or motorcycle. Share the Road. Arrive Alive.

Do you still remember how it was when you were a young and novice driver? Both hands on the wheel, both eyes on the road, mind completely on the task of driving - it took all your senses to drive! This year, join the Office of Highway Safety in getting BACK TO BASICS. It means focusing on driving the car instead of multi-tasking. Remember, experience does not necessarily make a better driver. Drive safely. Arrive Alive.

Distracted Driving. Many of us are guilty of it. Did you know that drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves? But there is more to Distracted Driving than just talking on a cell phone and texting.

Could the holidays get any busier? Between your regular work schedule, family commitments and holiday gatherings - who has time to think about safe driving? You do! The Office of Highway Safety would like to remind everyone that safe driving should never take a holiday.

It’s a brand new year. Did you resolve to be healthier at the start of the New Year? Perhaps your goal is to improve yourself in some way or to put aside bad habits that you may have picked up in the last year. Add one more resolution to your list - resolve to drive safe.

Did you know that you are three times more likely to be killed in a car crash at night? Statistics show that the night time hours are the most dangerous time to be on the road. When the odds are against you it makes sense to play it safe. Buckle up and be protected. Here's what you need to know about fatalities in Delaware and what you can do to protect yourself.

For some, using a cell phone, smart phone, or other electronic device is part of daily life. We depend on this technology for a variety of reasons that make it difficult to put the phone down. But did you know that in 2012, 13,000 citations were issued statewide to people using a hand-held cell phone? Read more for the risks involved with being distracted while you are behind the wheel.

It’s that time of year again. This year marks the 13th year that the Office of Highway Safety has teamed up with Delaware Law Enforcement Agencies to educate the public and enforce the seat belt law during the annual Click It or Ticket Campaign. Read on what you must do to stay safe by using your seat belt.

Don’t Join The Walking Dead. That is the new message OHS along with their traffic safety partners are conveying to pedestrians across Delaware. What you need to know Walking safely is really just about using your brain. When people walk around mindlessly, they get hurt or killed.  Out of all the deaths that occur on […]

A DUI will follow you everywhere. No matter where you go. No matter what you do. It’s a choice that has long-lasting consequences.

It only takes a few minutes on the highway to know that people drive in all different ways. Some drive fast. Some drive slow. Some choose to follow the rules of the road, while others do not. Today, OHS is asking …what do you think about the way that you drive? Get the facts. Take the survey for a chance to win tickets to the 2014 Firefly Music Festival!

Every October, OHS partners with the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) to promote Drive Safely to Work Week (DSWW). This year’s campaign is being observed October 7-11.  The theme is “Gear Up for Safe Driving” which focuses on aspects of driver safety that occur before you even start the engine. Get the Facts […]

Halloween is just days away. By now you have probably picked out a costume. It is likely that you know where you are going and who you are going to meet there. But, have you decided how you are going to get home if you plan to drink alcohol? Take a few minutes right now to plan a safe ride home. Read more on how to plan ahead to avoid legal issues and embarrassment that go along with a DUI arrest and conviction.

The night before Thanksgiving is often one for celebrating. Whether you are hosting a gathering of family and friends before the big meal or after, it is the responsibility of the host to make sure that each car leaving the party has a designated, sober driver. Read on for helpful suggestions for your celebration.

It’s a wonderful time of the year. The time of year when we celebrate our accomplishments, consider our challenges, and join friends and family in welcoming the New Year. By the same token, celebrating the holidays also calls for balance between having fun and being mindful of the safety of our families and those around us. The Office of Highway Safety reminds us of how we can have a safe family holiday.

Super Bowl Sunday is only a few days away! Have you decided where you are going to watch Denver and Seattle go head to head? If your game plan includes cheering on your favorite team at a friend’s house or at a local sports bar, be sure to include a sober driver as the final play.

Did you know that motorists who use hand-held devices while driving are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves? It has become a common occurrence to see others talking on their hand-held cell phone or checking their smartphone while driving. You may even do it yourself. But there is more to Distracted Driving than just talking on a cell phone and texting.

Do you have plans to take a road trip this summer? Perhaps you will take in some of the local attractions, visit the beaches, or spend time with family and friends. No matter where you go or what you do, always remember to drive safely. The life you save may be your own.

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Would you ever ride a roller coaster without the harness? Would you let your friends or family? Of course not! Did you know that when you ride in a motor vehicle without a seat belt you are taking a similar risk? One you can’t afford. Once again, Delaware is joining law enforcement agencies nationwide to enforce seat belt laws during the annual Click It or Ticket campaign.

ASHGABAT, 16 June 2016 – Officials from the Traffic Control Inspectorate of Turkmenistan’s Interior Ministry and representatives of a local public organization dealing with road safety discussed good practices for promoting road safety awareness at an OSCE-organized three-day seminar that concluded today in Ashgabat.

Shpresa Mulliqi from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo who conducted the seminar talked about the significance of the legal framework for traffic safety, the main factors influencing the road infrastructure and behaviour, including education and culture, as well as ways to raise public awareness about road traffic safety.

The seminar placed special emphasis on the involvement of children and youngsters in awareness-raising activities for pedestrians.

 “Promoting traffic safety is essential for guaranteeing the health and harmonious development of all citizens, including the youngest who represent a group of risk at roads,” said Radovan Znasik, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Our seminar highlights the importance of awareness raising activities in ensuring traffic safety and we hope that the event will be of practical use for the relevant bodies of Turkmenistan as it is committed to upgrading its efforts in the area of promoting traffic safety and designing awareness raising campaigns.”

Participants exchanged views on the role of educational institutions, public organizations and media in raising public awareness on traffic safety. The seminar also covered the main content of traffic safety education, which includes general traffic safety knowledge, and the skills for analyzing and solving problems in traffic activities.

As part of the practical exercises, the participants developed traffic safety awareness messages for different target groups taking into account identified needs, the legal framework, the cultural context and financial implications.

Prior to the seminar, the OSCE expert visited the Traffic Safety School for Children of the Interior Ministry and was familiarized with national road safety campaigns.

Related Stories

• Representatives from Turkmenistan discuss media reforms during OSCE-organized study visit to Latvia
• OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan promotes freedom of religion and belief
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YSTR.HTSA-overview - Overview of ICT based highway traffic safety assessment