Page 57 - Operation Lifesaver Estonia Annual Report 2011

Railway Safety in Estonia - 55 - Annual Report 2011
Pjotr Kutšerenko, Chairman, Directorate of Community
of Independent States and Baltic Railway Council,
explained the organisational structure of the Council
and added that the freight schedule planning is central
to the organisation. The increase in road traffic has
added to poor road driving behaviour and violations,
and there is an urgent need for prevention, education
and enforcement. The 2006-10 statistics show that the
accidents are mainly caused by road users (98%).
Eero Pärgmäe, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry
of Economic Affairs and Communications, remembered
the time when he used to go to school. Then it was much
quicker to take a shortcut across the rail tracks than to
go the long way. He did it because he did not realise the
risks involved. There was no education or prevention
at that time. Nowadays this event is very important in
helping to reach target audiences. The Ministry has
investment programmes for new trains, stations, crossing
replacements. It is better to change the way people think.
Kaido Simmermann, Chairman of the Management Board
of Estonian Railways, explained that in 2004 Estonian
Railways decided to make efforts to publicise public
safety due to an increase of casualties in Estonia. This
led to the creation of Operation Lifesaver in Estonia
(OLE) that henceforth developed the outlined campaign
activities.
Kirsi Pajunen, ERA, outlined the purpose of the railway
agency and the vision 0: the human being is part of the
transport system and cannot be punished by the death
sentence for making errors.
Anvar Salomets, Estonian Technical Surveillance Agency,
reported on the history of regulation since Estonia
regained independence in 1991.
Don Wilson, Principal Inspector of Railways at the Office
of Rail Regulation, reported on the different types of level
crossings in the UK and ORR’s role.
Esko Värttiö, Finnish Chief Rail Accident Investigator, gave
a presentation on the Finnish safety administration that
is independent and designed to improve overall safety
covering all transport sectors: air, rail, maritime and other
branches.