Policy makers

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• widespread misconceptions influenced by marketing, informal advice, and outdated practices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.

Night-time road safety represents one of the most critical challenges in Italy, particularly for young adults aged 18–35. National and local statistics show that the most severe road accidents occur during night-time hours and weekends, when alcohol consumption, fatigue and reduced visibility significantly increase risk. In urban areas such as Rome, these risks are amplified by the lack of frequent night public transport, especially after large events and festivals.

Young people returning from concerts, nightlife venues or university events often rely on private cars, increasing exposure to driving under the influence, distraction and speeding. Road crashes remain the leading cause of death among young people in Europe, and Italy continues to record a road mortality rate above the EU average.

Events and festivals represent peak-risk scenarios: thousands of people leave the same venue ensuring congestion, late-night driving and impaired decision-making. Despite this, traditional road safety policies rarely address mobility during events in a structured way.

CBH addresses this gap by focusing specifically on organised night-time transport during high-risk hours (typically between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM), providing a safe, collective alternative to private car use. The initiative directly tackles behavioural risk factors by removing the need to drive after social events, targeting the exact context and time window where the probability of severe accidents is highest.