Create awareness

Social media is deeply intertwined with the daily lives of young people and young adults in Belgium. The rise of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube has led to a new dynamic in the dissemination of information and opinions. This study stems from the concern that social media can normalise and even glorify not only positive but also risky behaviour in traffic. The main objective of this study was to map the prevalence, nature and impact of such content and thus contribute to a better understanding of the role of social media in road safety.

Romania has historically faced one of the lowest rates of child restraint system use in the European Union. In 2019, European data indicated that only around one quarter of child passengers were transported using appropriate child restraint systems. This reflected a broader road safety challenge: high child injury and fatality risks linked to improper restraint, misuse of car seats, and limited parental awareness.

The main challenges addressed by our initiative include:

• low usage rates of child restraint systems
• incorrect installation and misuse of car seats
• lack of parental awareness regarding age-appropriate restraint systems
• widespread misconceptions influenced by marketing, informal advice, and outdated practices
• limited access to evidence-based guidance and professional counselling
• insufficient integration of child passenger safety education into healthcare and community services
• socio-economic disparities affecting access to safety information and equipment

Additionally, parents often receive conflicting information and lack practical, hands-on guidance on proper installation and safe transportation practices.

These challenges contribute to preventable injuries and fatalities among child passengers and hinder progress toward EU road safety targets.

Our initiative addresses these systemic barriers through education, professional training, community outreach, and evidence-based awareness programs designed to improve correct usage and long-term behavioral change.

The initiative addresses the disproportionately high risk of road accidents among young and novice drivers (18–24 years old), a vulnerable category in road traffic safety.

The main challenges identified include:

1. Distracted Driving
The widespread use of mobile phones while driving (texting, browsing, social media use) significantly increases crash risk. Young drivers are particularly exposed to digital distractions, which impair reaction time, attention, and hazard perception.

2. Peer Influence and Risk-Taking Behaviour
The presence of same-age passengers has been shown to increase the likelihood of risky driving behaviours, including speeding, aggressive manoeuvres, and reduced compliance with traffic rules.

3. Night-Time Driving Risks
Young drivers are overrepresented in night-time collisions due to reduced visibility, fatigue, and increased likelihood of high-risk behaviour during late hours.

4. Limited Experience and Hazard Perception Skills
Novice drivers lack practical experience in managing complex traffic situations, increasing their vulnerability in high-risk environments.

5. Insufficient Parental Engagement After Licensing
While parents play a key role during the learning phase, structured guidance and clearly defined roles for continued supervision during the first independent driving years are often lacking.

6. Gap Between Awareness and Behavioural Change
Although young drivers are generally aware of traffic rules, this awareness does not always translate into safe behaviour. There is a need for evidence-based tools that transform knowledge into practical, risk-reducing actions.