FIA raise awareness of road safety

You can never be too young to learn about road safety - FIA President

This weekend the FIA (Federation of International Automobile) Action for Road Safety campaign received an endorsement from some of its most important constituents: children.

FIA President Jean Todt was on hand to praise those taking part in the European Traffic Education Contest, an annual event designed to raise awareness of road safety, and this year held in Paris.

"You can never be too young to learn about road safety," said President Todt on Saturday.

"All the children here have done really well to reach this stage of the contest and I congratulate them for their efforts. And while it is possible to win prizes as part of the Traffic Education Contest, the most important thing is to learn how to stay safe - no matter whether you are on your way to school or playing outside with friends." The contestants, who congregated at the Halle Georges Carpentier, later posed for photographs wearing 'Action for Road Safety' T-shirts outside the FIA headquarters in Paris.

The contest comprised theoretical and practical exercises designed to promote road safety awareness and skills while 21 automobile clubs across Europe participated in the event hosted by the Fedération Française de Cyclotourisme, with the winners coming from the Russian Automobile Society.

The event was organized by the FIA Brussels office which represents 105 Automobile Clubs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and was sponsored by the FIA Foundation. Werner Kraus, FIA Region I President, said "Every day children face dangers on the road - far too many are injured or worse in accidents. The Traffic Education Contest has been organized by us over 26 years to help keep children safe and encourage them to learn the rules of the road."