Page 54 - Operation Lifesaver Estonia / Annual Report 2012

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tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights of way.

Founded in Estonia on 19 November 2004 -

www.ole.ee

Since its first year of activities, OLE has always

considered extremely important to meet as many

people as possible and notify them about the

dangers present on railways. The role of our website

and campaigns should not be underestimated but

the eye-to-eye encounters are certainly the ones

where people ascertain the knowledge obtained

from other sources.

The year 2012 was not an exception. In cooperation

with the Rescue Board OLE participated in the work

of several KEAT-camps where we offered railway

safety knowledge both to adults and children. This

time we decided to be present in the regions that we

have not had time to visit before. So, we made our

first appearance in the KEAT-camps of Võru, Lääne

and Rapla counties. It was particularly interesting

to test people’s knowledge of railway safety on the

island of Saaremaa where people have no daily

interaction with railways.

Last year we also made additions to our quiz.

We developed a questionnaire consisting of 20

questions and answers that is always fun to fill. In

order to make it more interesting, we added to the

cards with answers quite many numbers that the

respondents must link with the right questions.

As OLE’s human resources are limited, we could not

make it last year to all the events we were invited

to. Nevertheless, we were represented there through

the Rescue Board by our drinking water bottles

carrying the railway safety message.

It was really educating to participate at a training

organised by TV news magazine “Reporter”. It gave

an excellent experience for communicating with

the press and taught noticing and using details

that are very important while giving interviews.

This knowledge is very helpful for communicating

messages at public events and organising OLE

presenters’ training.

In the end of the year we organised our traditional

Christmas campaign and I would say that it was one

of the largest in our history. The posters with OLE

safety message “Let the train pass! You are expected

home for Christmas.” Could be found in all the

major town of Estonia. OLE’s advertising clips were

shown on the screens in shopping malls, several

newspapers published OLE’s Christmas message and

the police paid more attention to lawful behaviour

at level crossings. One part of the campaign was

placing Little Trees air fresheners reminding the

rules of safe railway crossing on the car windows

parking at Kristiine shopping mall.

I am quite sure that our team will have exiting ideas

also for the year 2013.

In cooperation with the Rescue Board

OLE participated in the work of several

KEAT-camps where we offered railway

safety knowledge both to adults and

children.

Birgit Vahemets

OLE, Project Manager