ITALY ON BOARD WITH U.S. SAFE DRIVING EFFORTS:

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000149

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO OES/S FOR NANCY CARTER-FOSTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SOCI UNDP UNGA EU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY ON BOARD WITH U.S. SAFE DRIVING EFFORTS:
RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING

REF: STATE 6703


1. (U) EconOff delivered the Safe Driving demarche on January
19 to Ambassador Gabriele Sardo, diplomatic advisor to
Minister of Transportation Altero Matteoli. Sardo was very
enthusiastic in his response. He said that safe driving
initiatives are a pet project of Minister Matteoli and that
Italy is interested in partnership with the U.S. in this
effort. He said that Italy is particularly interested in
moving the safe driving conversation beyond industrialized
societies and working to build awareness among developing
countries with rural populations who may not fully understand
the dangers presented by distracted drivers. Though Italy is
enthusiastic and has several initiatives aimed to decrease
traffic accidents and mortalities there has not been any
effort so far to specifically target distracted driving.


2. (U) Per Sardo's suggestion, EconOff had a follow-up
meeting with Sergio Dandolini, director general of road
security and safety, and Viviana Bianco, coordinator of
international affairs, to obtain more detailed information on
questions contained in the demarche. Responses follow:

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EXISITING LAWS ON TEXTING/CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING
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3. (U) Since 2003 Italian law has prohibited the use of a
cell phone while driving except by use of hands free
technology. Violation results in a five-point reduction in
driver's license points. Twenty points are required to
maintain a license. Italian law does not specifically
address texting, though it could be viewed as being
prohibited as it involves hands-on use of a cell phone and as
there are other Italian driving regulations that require that
both hads remain on the wheel. Both Dandolini and Bianco
admitted, however, that the both-hands-on-wheel law is
difficult to enforce.

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DATA ON DISTRACTED DRIVING CRASHES, INJURIES, FATALITIES
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4. (U) Currently there is no specific data regarding
distracted driving. Italy participated in an EU-led program
to reduce traffic fatalities by 50% from 2001 to 2010. This
effort did not target distracted driving, but focused on
issues of speed and on not driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. From 2001 to 2008, Italy saw a 33%
reduction in traffic mortalities, from about 8000 deaths in
2001 to about 4700 in 2008. Dandolini said this is better
than the EU average reduction of 27%. Preliminary data from
2009 show a 14.8% reduction in traffic mortalities from 2008.
Additional data focusing on regional accident rates will be
available in about 8 months.

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PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS
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5. (U) Italy has not had any campaigns targeted at texting or
cell phone use, but has focused a campaign on safe driving
in general. "Sulla Buona Strada" (On the Good Road) focused
on speed and not driving under the influence and highlighted
increased penalties for driving infractions. The public
awareness campaign paid close attention to education of
adolescents and used testimonials from athletes and other
public figures. Italy also performs regular sobriety checks
on the road -- about 2 million from 2007 to 2009. Dandolini
said regular checks helped demonstrate that laws are being
enforced and keeps drivers in line.

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ADDITIONAL RESPONSES, SAFE DRIVING INITIATIVES
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6. (U) According to Dandolini, other that what was outlined
regarding mortalities, there is no available data regarding
effectiveness of laws to reduce distracted driving because
distracted driving has not been specifically targeted.
Dandolini also said he was unable to provide data regarding
the prevalence of text messaging or cell phone use. Post is
working to obtain general cell phone and text messaging
statistics from the appropriate GOI office.


7. (U) Dandolini also said Minister Matteoli had submitted a
proposal to the EU to require the placement of a "black box"
in motor vehicles similar to the data recorder in airplanes.

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He believes data gathered from such a recorder would help in
analysis of accidents and could lead to more effective
measure to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. In
addition, Dandolini said, the knowledge that a "black box"
was recording their speed and actions while driving, would
have the psychological effect of making drivers drive more
prudently. Finally, GPS on such data recorders could also
help rescue services locate an accident.
THORNE