Key Recent Milestones:
· China: The Jiangsu Institute for Health Education and Nanjing Bureau of Traffic Management released the results of Global Actions’ baseline drink driving survey to the public on July 6. At a review meeting chaired by the Jiangsu Provincial CDC, 10 traffic police were awarded prizes for excellent performance.
Global Actions in Focus: Russia Drink Drive Initiative
Global Actions drink driving initiative has officially launched in Russia with a public awareness campaign and targeted interventions underway. The “Don’t Drink Behind the Wheel” campaign was launched in collaboration with the “Social Projects” Foundation based in Russia. On June 26, ICAP’s Round Table Discussion in Moscow was widely attended by members of industry and other interested stakeholders.
“Our program objectives include reducing the number of alcohol-related road traffic crashes, increasing the level of community concern about drink driving, increasing community support for drink driving initiatives, and motivating drink drivers to change their behavioral patterns,” said ICAP Regional coordinator David Binar, adding that drink driving awareness is fundamental to improving road safety in Russia. According to government statistics, there are over 3,500 fatalities a day in Russia, 7.5% of which are alcohol-related.
A key part of the campaign involves actively engaging the hospitality sector in providing responsible service. The initial capacity-building seminar for HoReCa members supplied an overview of issues related to beverage alcohol service, drink driving, and conflict resolution strategies. Experts from Moscow State Pedagogical University created a seminar curriculum using ICAP resources.
Targeted interventions aim to educate HoReCa waiters and bartenders on best methods for delivering drink driving information to customers. In addition to the on-trade staff, participants include business executives, government officials, think tanks experts, and NGO representatives from health, road safety, and consumer rights fields.
Engaged stakeholders include the Ministry of Health, Road Safety Department, Center of Alcohol Markets Research, Romir Monitoring Research Agency, Etag Restaurants, ARPICOM Restaurants, Malina Taxi Service, and Rosinter Restaurants (T.G.I. Fridays).
A website has been created to help increase public awareness at http://nepeyzarulem.org/en/.
What’s Happening Next:
· Nigeria: The second phase of Global Actions’ intervention in Apapa, Lagos will begin on July 23. The campaign is part of Global Actions Nigeria’s drink driving initiative to educate tanker drivers on the Lagos-Apapa route.
