The Prime Minister was speaking at the 1st Newsauto Talks conference
“Greece has paid a heavy blood tax on asphalt, although in recent years things seem to be changing. After some time we have a steady decrease in victims from traffic police. And this did not happen by chance, as it is the result of a methodical planning and many efforts” said the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his address at the 1st Newsauto Talks conference.
He pointed out that “the government has set road safety as a key social priority, with the first evidence of the new Road Traffic Code”. “Consider that in the first month of implementing the new, strict regulations, road deaths fell by 34%” noted.
“We also need targeted policing. Much more so when there will be the assistance of technology: the cameras that are already installed, together with the artificial intelligence software and the digital call system, will now make mass control and the automatic detection of violations possible” added the Prime Minister.
In closing, Kyriakos Mitsotakis assessed that “more and more Greeks now feel that road safety is not only about laws and fines. It’s about caring and protecting each other.”
The following is the greeting of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the 1st Newsauto Talks conference:
“Friends and friends,
I would sincerely like to be with you today at your first Congress and its discussions. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn’t allow it. I will share with you some thoughts on something that concerns us all: on the most critical front of mobility, which cannot be other than road safety.
Especially in Greece, which has paid such a heavy blood tax on asphalt, although in recent years things seem to be changing. After a long time we have a steady decrease in traffic accident victims. And this did not happen by chance, as it is the result of a methodical planning and many efforts.
I’m talking about improved roads and infrastructure. For stricter policing, using new traffic control and monitoring technologies. And even, for road education programs. Mainly, however, I am talking about the gradual change in attitude that is beginning to take shape among Greek women and Greek drivers.
For decades we heard that “bad weather” was to blame for fatal accidents. We now realize, I think, that this is not true. Traffic police is not a squadron. These are tragic events, which can actually be prevented if individual responsibility sits with us at the wheel.
Responsibility that starts with small daily choices: wearing a seat belt and helmet, not running a red light, obeying the speed limit, not talking on the cell phone while driving, never driving under the influence of alcohol.
For its part, the government has set road safety as a key social priority, with the youth as the first proof Road Traffic Code. Consider that in the first month of implementing the new, strict regulations, road deaths fell by 34%. I really hope this trend continues.
Finally, we also need targeted policing. Even more so when there will be the assistance of technology: the cameras that are already installed, together with the artificial intelligence software and the digital call system, will now make mass control and automatic detection of violations possible.
I close with something optimistic: I believe that more and more Greeks now feel that road safety is not only about laws and fines. It’s about caring and protecting each other. Something I hope your conference will contribute to.
Good start and good success.”