Page 11 - Operation Lifesaver Estonia / Annual Report 2012

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Operation Lifesaver Estonia Annual Report 2012
bustle. Why do we need to repeat those old and
well-understood statements all over again day-by-
day and year-by-year? Why do the companies already
investing annually tens of millions euros in making
their railway rolling stock and infrastructure safe
allocate additional funds for improving knowledge
about railway safety?
The answer to that question is quite simple –
preventive work is several times cheaper then the
costs of dealing with the consequences of railway
accidents. Furthermore, we tend to forget the
information that we seem not to benefit from on a
daily basis. Therefore, we need to refresh people’s
memory and do it as efficiently as possible.
Last year two students studying traffic safety in the
Haapsalu College of Tallinn University wrote their
graduation papers about the behaviour of people at
railway level crossings and pedestrian crossings. We
hope that we can use the results of this research
conducted with the help of safety experts also in
our activities. There is definitely more to be done,
as the rapid development of social media with
mobile Internet and smartphones is an area we
have not yet explored but which provides countless
opportunities for influencing the traffic behaviour of
our target group. The speedy pace of living demands
continuous development from all of us and OLE is
ready. While planning our activities we hope that we
will be able to contribute to shaping a safer living
environment also in the future.
The year that has begun is the ninth year of OLE’s
activities. We are expecting new fast and less
noisy passenger trains to the railway lines of our
country. These trains will definitely make railway
transport more popular among our citizens. OLE
in cooperation with its members, cooperation
partners and volunteers will do everything possible
to prevent the possible negative side effects of
launching the new trains from happening.
I would like to thank all of you for your daily
little contributions that have helped us in making
interaction with railways safer.
NPO Operation Lifesaver Estonia Chairman of Management Board – CEO