Give way to a new civilization

by Annalisa Audino

The official bulletin is impressive: every year on Italian streets are killed 1,000 people between cyclists and pedestrians of which 30% loses his life while crossing the street on strips, more than 20,000 are injured and over 50% of victims has more than 65 years. And what is more ridiculous is that all these tragedies are avoidable with the mere compliance by driving (and sometimes who walk). Precisely in order to draw attention to the rights violated in the so-called "road users weak" started on April 15, the national campaign "Siamo tutti pedoni" (We're all pedestrians). Venice, Bari, Bologna, Cosenza, Genoa, Palermo, Rome, Monza, Pisa, Trieste, Naples, Palermo, Barletta, Verona and many other cities partecipate to this campaign.

The communication campaign and related initiatives taking place behind the pedestrian crossing where motorists waiting for the Green piezosurgery booklet with cartoon characters who invite messages to drive putting safety first, pedestrians in the first place, but not only. In the booklet, delivered by operators with hats and t-shirts dedicated to initiative, you can smile and think with cartoons of Giannelli, Vauro, Giuliano, Staino, Pillinini, Rebori, Maramotti, Minoggio, Gomboli and Zaniboni. And so, between the image of Dante crosses "hell" of a busy street and little Red Riding Hood who is encouraged to pass through the Woods and not for the road because "than meets the Wolf", is reflected on the difficulties of who to move uses the oldest means of transport: the feet.

Many are also the familiar faces of real or imaginary characters whose image is associated with messages of prudence: among these Eva Kant explains to Diabolik that out of the car is "a pedestrian as others" Licia Colò reminds us that man is a " pedestrian to nature" and Piero Angela reads "When you drive recalls that even thou art a pedestrian ". Massimo Gramellini urges finally to bring "the air of Europe on Italian streets" and points out that "In civilised countries the pawn is sacred". Among the characters involved there is also the writer Carlo Lucarelli, comedian Vito, correspondent of Striscia la Notizia Cristina Gabetti, actors Lucio Allocca and Germano Bellavia (the Vigili Otello and Guido in Italian soap opera "Un posto al sole"), Franco Taggi of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and philosopher Duccio Demetrius. All praise the art of walking, a habit that is good for the health of humans and Earth because, inter alia, the pawn non-polluting and does not waste energy.

The campaign started on 15 April and runs until 31 May. Takes place under the patronage of the President of the Republic and is promoted by CGIL, CISL, UIL unions, pensioners, for the road safety education and security of Emilia Romagna, Antarctica and numerous local government, health care companies and associations.

At the third edition will also many collateral in the squares of cities adherents, including workshops for children and an exhibition, "Siamo tutti pedoni", 40 panels in Forex whose leitmotif is the satire and irony, in the belief that snatch a smile, though often bitter, can be very effective to reflect. The cartoons like arrows, may hit for their simplicity and directness the hearts and minds of people over many words. The exhibition presents over to the cartoons also illustrations, photographs with characters associated with messages, panels with scientific and educational texts, text devoted to walk and instructions to be of "good pedestrians".

The event then, as well as the exhibition, wants to offer an opportunity to reflect on the tragedies involving pedestrians and, more generally, their lives difficult city reigned almost sovereign cars. At the same time, it wants to spread awareness about the possibility of creating in Italy, like other European countries, a cultural climate and structural conditions adapted to grow safety and pleasure of pedestrian mobility. Walking is good for your health, persons and of the Earth. Everyone who walks does not pollut and does not waste energy. The goal is to build a virtuous circle that hold together the many social and institutional actors: retired from schools to unions, municipalities, associations.