World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims commemorated
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Montenegro, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, the Montenegrin Road Safety Observatory, the Student Parliament of the University of Montenegro, and the Student Organization of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, marked the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The event was organized in the lobby of the technical faculties building through an educational panel dedicated to the safety of young participants in traffic. Besides students and representatives of state institutions and the media, the event was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Dr. Radoje Vujadinović, the President of the Board of Directors of the University of Montenegro, Prof. Dr. Milivoje Radović, and the Minister of Transport, Maja Vukićević.
At the beginning of the educational panel, Prof. Dr. Radoje Vujadinović welcomed those present. On this occasion, he emphasized that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering represents a beacon of the future and a place of gathering and a good example of cooperation between the academic community and entities in the traffic safety system. Dean Vujadinović stated that "For more than five decades, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has contributed to the development of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, and road traffic, and in the last two decades, together with other entities in the traffic safety system, has carried out a series of activities to improve road safety." He highlighted the efforts that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering invests in creating the most favorable environment for the development of professional knowledge among young people, but also in the development of society as a whole, nurturing values that will serve society in general. The Dean said, "We consider ourselves to be performing the most sacred duty in the system aimed at improving the traffic safety system in Montenegro, which is the education of personnel, i.e., traffic engineers whose primary goal is to save human lives with their knowledge and work." He pointed out the importance of commemorating the day dedicated to the victims of traffic accidents and the need for our social community to better understand the issue of traffic safety. He concluded that in the upcoming period, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering will be the cornerstone of the development of the traffic system in Montenegro through the quality education of traffic engineers and support to state institutions and the economy.
The Minister of Transport, Maja Vukićević, addressed the audience, stating that "the Ministry of Transport, as one of the state institutions involved in traffic safety, has recognized this problem and, in cooperation with scientific and educational institutions such as the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, wants to highlight risky behaviors in traffic and the most common mistakes, as well as the consequences of these mistakes on the safety of all traffic participants." The Minister addressed young people and emphasized that they, as inexperienced drivers, are particularly at risk because they are not yet able to predict risky situations, control the vehicle, and make quick key decisions. A significant fact is that, besides the lack of experience, the increased danger of traffic accidents is also influenced by insufficient knowledge of traffic rules and regulations, young people’s poor assessment of the degree of risk, their overestimation of their abilities, their desire to attract attention with their behavior, and test their capabilities, which, along with "powerful and fast" vehicles, often ends with fatal consequences. The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to her colleagues at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Montenegro, who have always been initiators and supporters of activities aimed at improving road safety in Montenegro and confirmed that the Ministry of Transport will continue to have joint actions regarding road safety and other matters within the scope of their joint work.
After the introductory speeches, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boško Matović gave a lecture titled "Youth and Road Safety." He presented data on the number of fatalities and injuries in traffic accidents globally and on Montenegrin roads. He noted that in the past three years, there has been a constant increase in the number of deaths and injuries on Montenegrin roads and called on the relevant institutions to intensify preventive activities within their domain. He displayed the factors why young participants are overrepresented in traffic accidents and the ways young people perceive driving. He then explained the prevalence and reasons for improper behaviors in traffic, such as speeding, using mobile phones while driving, driving under the influence of psychoactive substances, and the use of safety systems in vehicles.
Finally, the audience heard life stories from young people who experienced participation in traffic accidents, which left lasting consequences on their lives. At the end of the event, students had the opportunity to try out driving on a simulator over the next few hours with the presence of educators, as well as the effects of "drunk goggles," which simulate the impact of risk factors like alcohol, drugs, and fatigue. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering will continue to conduct activities on preventing traffic accidents among young traffic participants through organizing educational panels in high schools, thereby reminding, supporting, and acting, which is the slogan of todays day (REMEMBER, SUPPORT, ACT!).