The YASA and some of its main public and private partners gathered last Friday at the UNESCO palace to show an unprecedented commitment for a national action plan for the development and amelioration of road security.
Placed under the patronage of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora represented by Minister of Interior Hassan El Sabaa, the conference opens up on a cycle of activities that will stretch over 10 days on the occasion of the « World Road Security Week » (23-29 April 2007).

According to a new report published by the WHO, traffic accidents represent the first cause of death among youngsters. Authors of the report highlighted that most accidents can be prevented and avoided. It is the same diagnosis established in Lebanon where we count 800 dead on the roads for 2006 and more than 4500 injured, the most hit being youngsters aged between 18 and 27. Traffic accidents are not a « fatality »: getting rid of the idea that they are fatal and adopting a dynamic preventive approach is one of the points stressed by all lecturers.
The President of YASA Lebanon, Ms. Mona Akl announced the opening of 3 new branches in Lebanon in Zouk Mosbeh, Alma Chaab and Hamra, the launching of the book entitled « YASA on the Move » that highlights the reforms to be made as well as the development of their new website.
« Respecting the others’ right to live »: is the title of the new campaign launched by the YASA on the occasion, who from now on actively works with the Internal Security Forces.

« Road security has become one of the priorities of all governments in the world. The action plan to set up is a task incumbent to the state and the citizen as well », declared the Minister of Interior. « there are a lot of efforts to be made in order to establish and equip special institutions in charge of developing road security and several advanced studies are necessary in order to achieve this ». Hassan El Sabaa highlighted also the importance of increasing workforce, the development of municipal police and especially the reform and modernization of the Code of the Road by reinforcing the penal side: penal sanctions of violations, sanctions against government employees violating their obligations…

Mohammad Qabbani, president of the parliamentary commission for public works pointed out that a new law on road traffic was under study and is expected to be promulgated by the end of the year. The Deputy highlighted a certain number flaws and problems. He first noted that there are no traffic engineers in Lebanon: « In Lebanon, there are no traffic engineers but now we are coordinating our efforts with 12 engineers to provide them with training (…) because road traffic in itself is a specialization”. He then tackled the issue of roads and their state and the importance of respecting norms as to material used. Moreover, the deputy mentioned a recommendation made 2 years ago to control cars, at least big vehicles and trucks crossing the borders; but such recommendation was not respected. « Education in schools, information, and orientation through the media are also indispensable for the success of our action », he declared.

In his virulent and accusing speech that generated strong reactions among the audience, the president of the commission for public works re-discussed the corruption issue especially the recent scandal around driving licenses. « Thousands of killing licenses have been delivered and the public prosecution has opened an investigation in this concern». The director of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, Nabil Jisr, has declared that his currently working on « a project on urban development and transportation »: « public conscience requires the development of road infrastructures and traffic related laws ».

The last word was for deputy Pierre Daccache, an active member of the YASA: « the Lebanese citizen is in danger and his state requires the intervention of a college of doctors from various specializations: the Ministry of Education, Public Works, Media, Internal Security forces, civil society… ».

The results of the recommendations made after the congress should be debated Thursday at the council of ministers.