Emergency services

The main challenge addressed by this practice is the traditional barrier to entry for deep-tech innovation: the need for large, specialized, and expensive development teams. This often slows down a project's ability to adapt and innovate, especially for mission-driven initiatives with limited initial resources.

The primary challenge we address is not a single road safety issue, but the systemic limitation of a reactive mindset. Current technology platforms often create data monopolies, lack interoperability, and are driven by profit motives rather than public interest. This creates a barrier to building a truly integrated, trustworthy, and proactive safety ecosystem that public authorities can rely on and help shape.

The first major challenge was to make this pastoral action known within the Church's own structure in Ourense. The CEE's Road Pastoral Department was created in Spain more than 50 years ago, but in many dioceses, no initiatives are carried out and priests are unaware of it. The surprising thing was that families, communities, and neighbors, as soon as we began working on these initiatives, began to follow us, asking for more action, and feeling supported in the loneliness caused by the loss of a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, or a car accident. Every year, the number of people participating in the scheduled sessions increases.

TyreSafe is addressing the critical issue of tyre-related road casualties by equipping all road users with the knowledge to identify and act on poorly maintained or illegal tyres. Our mission follows the Safe System approach, recognising human error and injury tolerances, and aims to eliminate harm through education, engineering, and enforcement. TyreSafe’s focus is on reducing incidents caused by poor tyre maintenance, illegal tread depth, under-inflation, and other defects. Research consistently shows tyres are one of the most neglected safety components. Data from our 2023 Tread Depth Survey revealed over 6 million tyres are replaced annually when already illegal. A 2022 post-collision investigation revealed that 81% of vehicles involved in incidents had tyre defects. Despite this, under-reporting in Police collisions data, Stats19, limits national awareness. TyreSafe’s campaigns, research and stakeholder engagement address this knowledge gap. We work with government, emergency services, tyre industry and other road safety groups to increase understanding and action. TyreSafe’s vision is zero harm from tyre defects on UK roads. By raising awareness, influencing behaviour and advocating for better data and enforcement, we aim to instil long-term change and reduce preventable tyre-related collisions and casualties.

The LEDONE Connected project began in early 2021, following the publication of new Spanish regulations promoting connected emergency signaling, specifically through the Real Decreto 159/2021. The objective was to develop a V16 emergency light that would not only meet legal standards but go further in terms of safety, visibility, and connectivity. Sustainability was not a regulatory requirement, but a value deeply embedded in Erum Vial's philosophy and business model.

The first phase focused on R&D, resulting in a high-visibility design (the tallest on the market) with 360° lighting powered by 10 high-intensity LEDs, a dual magnetic/adhesive fixation system for universal vehicle compatibility, and the optional LEDONE Arrow for enhanced lateral visibility in large vehicles.

Erum Vial integrated NB-IoT connectivity provided by Vodafone, ensuring reliable communication with national road safety authorities. Additionally, we developed the LEDONE mobile app to offer real-time connection confirmation, direct access to emergency contacts, and tow tracking tools.

The project followed a phased timeline:

• 2021: Technical research, regulatory analysis, and initial design with a focus on safety, visibility, and integration of IoT.
• 2022–2023: Industrialization of the product in Erum's manufacturing plant in Alcoy, using 100% recycled plastic and applying sustainability practices as a corporate commitment—not due to any regulatory mandate.
• 2024–2025: Full-scale distribution across Spain with more than 20,000 sales points and ongoing collection of field data for product improvement.

Key activities include app development (LEDONE App), firmware updates, user feedback analysis, and public awareness campaigns on connected safety devices. The project is ongoing and ready for European scalability, with continuous improvement based on real-world use and user feedback.

Occupational Road Risk, also known as Work Related Road Risk (WRRR), is the risk that an employee may be involved in a collision while driving for work, causing harm to themselves and others. As a minimum, 1/3 of injury collisions every year in the UK involves at least one person driving for work, with 35,000 casualties because of these collisions annually.
Employers have an established legal role to play in the safe management of their employees who drive/ride for work under the UK Health and Safety at Work Act. Workplace health and safety legislation applies equally to work related driving and riding and should be applied in the same way as in the physical workplace.
The Driving for Better Business programme (DfBB) works on the premise that employers have a crucial role to play in the safety of drivers and other road users. Working with employers, we can positively influence a significant number of road users to improve driver behaviour and reduce collisions and injuries. Whilst there is a focus on the requirement under law to manage driving for work, the principle is valid in any jurisdiction.
Our vision is “a world where those who use the roads for work do so safely, efficiently and sustainably" and mission is “To improve safety and reduce risk for all those who drive or ride for work, by promoting good management practice and demonstrating the significant business benefits”.