On 16 and 17 October, the FIA participated in the OISEVI General meeting, the first in-person event after the COVID19 pandemia.
OISEVI, the Observatorio Iberoamericano de Seguridad Vial, the Regional Observatory for Road Safety in Central, South America and the Caribbean, gathered in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) head of road safety agencies from more than 20 countries, as well as international organisations such as WHO, World Bank, IDB and iRap.
The working sessions included the institutional framework and international cooperation in the regions, the exchange of views on effective policies to tackle road safety and the analysis of the latest statistical trend.
According to the latest figures, vulnerable road users, a group that includes motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians, account for 57% of the total number of deaths in the region. In particular, users of motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds account for 34% of the total number of fatalities, making this group the most at risk on the roads. In countries like Colombia, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, the trend shows an alarming negative evolution, with a share of more than 50%.
Joel Santos Echavarría, Ministro de la Presidencia of the Dominican Republic opened the Congress, reminding the effort of the Dominican Republic in addressing road safety.
Josefina de los Heros, Executive Director, Region IV and Luca Pascotto, FIA Head of Road Safety, highlighted the work undertaken by the FIA and FIA member Clubs in supporting the implementation of national road safety strategy and addressing emerging road safety issues in the region.
“Between 2015 to 2020, 2 million used were imported in Central and South America. Used vehicles can provide affordable access to mobility, however, most countries lack minimum standards resulting in the importation of used vehicles that are highly polluting and can also deteriorate road safety situation. The FIA and the FIA Region IV will work with UNEP and other organisations to support the development and implementation of minimum criteria for importing countries”, said Josefina de los Heros, who continued: “Coupled with our capillary work, promoted through our network of Clubs, of training road users, for cars and motorcycles, including professional drivers, we are confident we can help to build a culture of safety in the region”.
Frank Fotia, FIA Region III President, who also joined the meeting, met with Alvaro Oliver Venere, President of the ACD, the Automovil Club Dominicano and Hugo Beras- Goico, Executive Director of INTRANT, the National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation of the Dominican Republic to discuss opportunities to promote effective measures to advance the national road safety agenda in the Dominican Republic.
“I am pleased to see that FIA Region III support to OISEVI helped to gather in Santo Domingo the responsible for road safety from many countries: data collection is essential to design the most effective interventions and OISEVI represents a unique platform to ensure that policies are based on sound evidence. The experience of ACD and its extensive cooperation with INTRANT is a clear example of how FIA member clubs can be a leading voice for safe and sustainable mobility” .
Alvaro Oliver Venere said “Today’s conference has reminded us how motorcycle safety represents more than 50% of all fatalities in the Dominican Republic. We have a responsibility to contribute to improving this alarming trend. ACD, with the support of the FIA, has promoted helmet donation programme, create an education camp for children and will continue exploring ways to help INTRANT building a culture of safety in our country.”
