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This third “Green Light” Conference is taking place at a difficult time, when the necessity for this association is more evident than ever. Last year, the number of casualties in road accidents decreased by 8%, in comparison with the average of the past 5 years. This year, the trend was again reversed. The number of road accident fatalities climbed by 15%, in comparison with last year. This is difficult news. In fact, it is a time to test the seriousness of our intentions to fight the scourge of road accidents. It is a time of test, because it is very easy to despair and say: “we are doing everything, investing billions, and still the numbers keep climbing; it must be fate, and there is nothing to do against it”. This is something I can say.
I unequivocally reject this attitude. My conclusion from this year’s data is that the war against the carnage on the roads is more difficult than we thought, and therefore more vital. This year’s failure must not discourage us; it only emphasizes that in this war, there is need for great patience and perseverance and long-term efforts.
It is written in our Talmudic tractate: “he who lost one Jewish soul, it is as if he lost an entire world”. This is the tragedy in every fatal road accident: an entire world is lost. The world of a person who was once alive and is now gone, and other worlds suffering irreversible damage. We mourn the dead, but those broken families who remain bereaved and orphaned, are also victims of the accidents.
And I did not even mention the economic cost of accidents – 10-12 billion NIS per year – a formidable amount which could have been invested in improving the standard of living in Israel.
Therefore, despite the need for further budgetary restraint, we will continue in 2005 our massive investment in the development of Israel’s transportation infrastructure as a springboard to diminishing the number of road accidents. Moreover, the Government will continue promoting public transportation, leading to a reduction in the number of vehicles on the roads. In this context, the revolution currently taking place in railways in Israel constitutes a tangible contribution to the war against road accidents. It is important – but not enough.
The current tendency to move to the suburbs and out of the cities brings about a significant increase in the number of cars on the road. Therefore, the trains we are developing are very important, and facilitate transportation to the workplace. However, this does not provide a solution to our problem.
It is clear that what is required for an all-out war against the affliction of road accidents is an overall, long-term national plan. This is precisely the task assigned to the Sheinin Committee by the Ministry of Transportation. This pubic committee is expected, within 5 months, to present to the Government a perennial work plan, the purpose of which is to achieve a significant reduction in the number of fatalities and injuries in road accident. The Government will invest all the necessary resources in the campaign against road accidents, as it succeeded, despite economic difficulties, in investing 1.7 billion NIS in the implementation of the Dovrat Report for the education system.
A government program – as comprehensive as it may be – cannot be the only answer to the national need for fighting the carnage on the roads. This important role, which is most vital, is preserved for the volunteer associations, like “Green Light”, which can make an invaluable contribution to changing the driving habits of Israelis – one of the main causes of accidents in this country.
The activity of thousands of “Green Light” volunteers does not diminish the Government’s responsibility in this regard. It only supplements the Government activities. Through their educational work and the assistance they provide to the traffic police, and by setting a personal example, these volunteers contribute to generating the necessary change.
I would like to thank you, the people of “Green Light”, for your volunteering actions and wish you success in your very important activities.
I would like to add one more thing; the activity for the improvement of roads and infrastructure must be increased. Regarding the state of the roads, sides of the roads and lighting, much more should be done. The Israel Police also plays an important role herein. In this field, it should definitely increase its activity and I believe that there should be more serious penalties on irresponsible driving.
In conclusion, there are many things which should be taken care of. It is a shame that often our attention must go to actions which I would describe as irresponsible – actions which undermine our ability to attend to the principle issues. In this regard, my position is well-known, and I must, in addition to all other topics, attend to all the nonsense we are dealing with during these difficult days, of all times. Despite these actions we will certainly need to increase our activity, and I assume I will find time for the nonsense as well as for the major problems we face.
I thank you again for everything you do, and regret I cannot spend the evening with you, although I would very much like to.
Thank you.
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