Keyword alcohol while driving; ambulance standards; awareness rising action; control of vehicle maintenance; driving speed; education, knowledge of traffic rules; highway code; safer surface of vehicles; safety campaign; seat belts; helmets; speed limits; speed reduction; street design; traffic calming

The non-respect of established driving rules causes most urban traffic accidents. The minimum actions for drivers of motorized vehicles to prevent accidents are: not driving after drinking alcohol, respect of speed limit and traffic rules and good maintenance of the vehicle. The use of seat belts should be mandatory in the urban areas.

The respect of traffic rules and the use of the required safety equipment (such as helmets and lights) by pedestrians and bikers could prevent many accidents. An effective tool to promote urban traffic safety is the organization of campaigns to raise public awareness using mass-media and publicity boards. Urban planning must also take account of such issues by designing streets accordingly and equipping them with traffic calming facilities, particularly near schools and pedestrian crossings as well as on busy intersections.

Immediate responses to accidents include well-functioning systems to inform relevant services and authorities, such as hospitals, rescue services and the police, the timely arrival of well-equipped ambulances and first aid by trained passers-by or persons involved in accidents. The later requires obligatory first aid courses in schools and for those applying for a driving licence.