Children safety in road transport European project EUCHIRES

The article presents the realization of European Project EUCHIRES in years 2005-2007 in which Motor Transport Institute has participated. The project consisted in carrying out activities in Poland aiming at increasing the number of children properly transported in cars - according to Act on Road Traffic regulations - in restrains adequate for child's weight and height. All activities leading to executing the main goal of this project were realized with the support of and in cooperation with the Police, Ministry of National Education and Ministry of Transport. EUCHIRES was a project co-financed by the European Commission. Motor Transport Institute was responsible for all activities undertaken within the project and its realization in Poland. The project was realized simultaneously in fifteen EU countries. The activities encompassed media campaign adjusted to each country's specificity and addressed to children (4-12 years old) and their parents. The campaign was combined with the educational programme executed in schools and kindergartens and increased police controls. These activities were recognized in Poland as social campaigns in the field of road traffic safety realized under the banner of "Armadillo club always belt up". In 2005, at the beginning of the campaign the research showed that in Poland 52% of children were transported properly in cars while travelling. All research carried out annually after each edition of the campaign indicated gradual increase in the number of children transported properly according to valid regulations. Research conducted at the end of 2007 showed that more than 80% of children in Poland were transported properly during each car trip.