Road traffic prevention and education initiatives are more vital today than ever. Safety on public roads is not just the responsibility of the authorities, but a shared duty, and involving young people in promoting safe behaviors can turn alarming statistics into success stories.

An analysis of recent statistical data highlights the need for targeted interventions. In total, 2,782 people were affected by road crashes in 2025.

A worrying fact is that young people aged 18 to 20 constitute the segment with the highest number of injured individuals (both slight and severe), which demonstrates the specific vulnerability of this age group.

Unfortunately, road crashes do not spare children either. Last year, 554 children were involved in accidents, representing 19.91% of the total number of victims. This figure indicates an alarming increase in 2025 of 23.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. Among them, twelve children lost their lives, and another 509 suffered injuries of varying severity.

The Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM) is following its commitment to fight for safety through the project “Youth for Safe Roads” (running from May to November 2026). The project is expanding to new localities across the country, aiming to change these painful statistics through direct education.

A central pillar of the campaign is the educational module "Be Aware! Be Safe!". Initially launched in 2025 (within the project "Safe Generation - Education and Action for Safe Roads") and adapted in 2026 module with Russian subtitles, it serves as an essential interactive guide for:

• Pedestrians and passengers;
• Cyclists and e-scooter users;
• Future/novice drivers.

The first training sessions of this year were successfully held at the Edineț Municipal Youth Center, where young people learned that “road traffic responsibility begins with each of us”.

The “Youth for Safe Roads” campaign constantly reminds that the road belongs to everyone, and mutual respect and attention can prevent tragedies. To translate theoretical education into street action, ACM and young volunteers organized a series of flash-mobs dedicated to the SLL Rule – Stop! Look! Listen!.

• Edineț: local young people went to the streets, painting powerful and visible messages to the community about the importance of crossing properly the street. Flashmob - "Pedestrian Safety"
• Chișinău: The action continued in the capital in partnership with the National Inspectorate of Public Security (INSP), where volunteers demonstrated, through practical examples, how prudent behavior can save lives.

These street actions proved that young people are not just passive recipients of information, but active advocates who put safety first. The main message promoted was the SLL Rule - a simple but vital rule that every pedestrian should apply at every crossing:

•  Stop! Always before stepping onto the roadway.
• Look! Carefully to the left and right.
• Listen! Identify the sound of vehicles before they become visible.

The project “Youth for Safe Roads” is implemented by the Automobile Club of Moldova, with the support of the National Youth Agency, within the 2026 Annual Grants Program for Youth Organizations, supported by the Ministry of Education and Research.

The activities are carried out in synergy with initiatives supported by EASST and the FIA Foundation, with the operational support of the National Inspectorate of Public Security.

Change starts with you!

Next time you reach a pedestrian crossing, remember: Stop, Look, Listen! Be an example in traffic.