Protect Young Drivers message reaches international audience

The Protect Young Drivers initiative is continuing to gain attention beyond the UK, with organisations overseas engaging with the campaign and using its resources to promote safer driving among young people.

One such organisation is Industrie Mică Prahova SA, based in Ploiești, Romania, which has recently published a report focusing on young driver safety as part of its commitment to the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport.

The report, Young Drivers - Road Safety Measures in Practice, forms part of the company’s ongoing “Young Drivers and Road Safety” initiative and highlights several of the key risks facing newly qualified drivers, including driving at night, carrying peer passengers and distractions such as mobile phone use.

Industrie Mică Prahova SA has also referenced and used Protect Young Drivers branding in its latest report, reflecting its support for the campaign’s aim of improving awareness of young driver risk.

Speaking at the report launch, Iulia-Mihaela Matreș, Public Relations Specialist at the company, highlighted the important role parents can play in supporting safer driving behaviour.

She said parents are “essential partners in the development of novice drivers” when they are provided with evidence-based information and clear guidance on how to support young drivers during their early driving years.

The report also highlights global road safety concerns around driver distraction. According to the World Health Organization, drivers who use mobile phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those who do not.

Young people aged 18–24 also account for a disproportionate number of road deaths in Europe, representing around 12 percent of fatalities despite making up only about seven percent of the population.

Industrie Mică Prahova SA’s young driver campaign was among more than 80 voluntary commitments highlighted by the United Nations when launching the Decade of Sustainable Transport. The company is also a signatory of the European Road Safety Charter and has been involved in road safety initiatives for more than a decade.

The growing international engagement with Protect Young Drivers highlights the global relevance of improving safety for newly qualified drivers and the value of sharing evidence and resources across borders.