The Principal of the University of Valencia, Esteban Morcillo, inaugurates the IV International Congress PRECOVIR. The encounter has shown that the traffic accidents are the main cause of death among youngsters from 15 to 29 years. The opening act received some important academic and political figures: the Principal of the Valencian International University (VIU), Juan Manuel Badenas; the Vice-Principal of VIU and president of PRECOVIR this year, Francisco Tortosa; the regional secretary for Family and Solidarity, Gotzone Mora; the councillor responsible for Traffic and Transport, Alfonso Novo; the general manager of University, Higher Education and Science, José Miguel Saval; and the autonomous secretary for Transport, Victoriano Sánchez.
This congress, gathering outstanding experts in road safety, has stressed the great economic repercussion that the accidents rate causes. In most of the countries the economic losses represent from 1% to 3% of the GDP. The WHO of the United Nations considers that some measures have to be taken to avoid the death of almost 1,9 milion people in 2020. This figure may increase in 2030 to 2,4 milion, thus representing the fifth cause of death in the world. Despite this, only the 15% of the countries have suitable norms and regulations that take into account the five main risks: speeding, alcohol, drugs, medicines and improper use of the restraint system for children.
‘We are talking about milions of people dying because of traffic accidents or suffering from some king of consequence. We have to add to this, the pollution effects on health caused by traffic. We are facing a problem of public health’ stressed the Principal.
Esteban Morcillo, who underlined the importance of the ‘collaboration between universities and local, regional and national institutions to work at the service of society’ has stated that ‘despite the accident rate has decreased, we need to be realistic and work towards prevention. That is the goal of this congress.’
He also reminded that the Unversity of Valencia was the first to create in 1995 the Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety (INTRAS), which is an interdisciplinary research centre focused on the field of road safety and traffic accidents. 'Then, we contribute to spread information on this area.’
Last update: 25 de november de 2011 09:11.
News release
