Swedbank becomes member of European Road Safety Charter

The European Road Safety Charter is a European participatory platform made up of enterprises, associations, research institutions and public authorities. These actors undertake to carry out concrete actions and share their good practices in order to resolve the road safety problems that they encounter in their day-to-day environments. The objective of the charter is to help reduce road fatalities. The charter has more than 1,350 signatories across Europe.

As pan-Baltic market leaders in leasing and key market player in casco insurance we feel that the safety on the roads also influences our customers, their cars and through that our business.

- Joining European Road Safety Charter is valuable example how Swedbank integrates responsible presence into daily business. Swedbank Leasing and P&C insurance takes responsibility to act as a rolemodel to communicate road safety problems and educate customers on safer traffic behavior, says Jan Andresoo, Head of Retail Lending Products Division, Baltic Banking.

Swedbank Leasing in Latvia and Lithuania has supported different road safety actions for several years. In Lithuania, they started a unique and innovative educational project for school children named Traffic School in 2005. This project aims to educate 4th grade students about safe behavior on roads and streets, develop theirs theoretical and practical knowledge about safe traffic, identify possible dangers, and educate the public in order to improve its responsibility and consciousness. Short theoretical lessons are complimented with the practical road side simulations using specially prepared automobile and interactive teaching methods that make the learning easily understandable for children.

In Latvia, there is a project for the adult drivers called "Safe Driving School”. This is a one-day seminar that includes a theory lesson and six hours of practical training. During the theory section, drivers will be informed of the main dangers on the road. In practical lessons drivers will carry out practical exercises as shown by instructors. In Latvia, there have been also social campaigns for children walking near the roads.

In Estonia, the project is still on the planning phase but the plans are to keep up with collegues in Latvia and Lithuania. The activities will concentrate more on safety belt usage and cooperation with local institutions.

Each of us can also be part of our commitment by being a reasonable party in traffic.