Volgograd tries out road crash simulator

18 May 2013

On 18 May Volgograd became the latest city to host an event for the nationwide “Buckle Up!” public awareness campaign. Volgograd residents and visitors to the city, on their own or with the whole family, took part in a range of activities to promote driver and passenger safety. The event was held in a special marquee with interactive educational zones, which was set up by the "KomsoMoll" shopping centre.

Among those in attendance at the official opening ceremony were: the dean of All Saints Church, priest Georgy Lazarev, head of the Main Directorate for Volgograd Region of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, police lieutenant general Alexander Nikolayevich Kravchenko, head of the Department of the State Automobile Inspectorate for Volgograd Region, police colonel Victor Ivanovich Grigorov, deputy head of the Volgograd City Administration, Yury Vladimirovich Matasov, representative of the Volgograd branch of the Russian Motorists Movement, Armen Karlenovich Oganesyan, and member of the Artists Union of Russia, Vladislav Eduardovich Koval.

After opening the event, the speakers went round all of the educational zones in the marquee themselves. They then invited the public to follow their example. Any adult who so wished could try out the campaign’s special simulator, which replicates the sensation of sharp braking or a road crash. Even although the simulator only has a speed of 12km per hour, it is enough to convince even the most resolute opponent of seat belts that it is vital to buckle up when in a moving vehicle. The organisers are warning people that the simulated crash impact is quite forceful. The simulator will be available to “test drive” in Volgograd until 22 May.

The educational activities also included competitions and tests on the theme of road safety. All the participants had the chance to test their knowledge of traffic regulations, take part in a vote “for” or “against” seat belts, have their photographs taken in matryoshki stand-in cutouts, and win prizes.

One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity to see the Volgograd “road safety matryoshka”, created by the artist Vladislav Koval. Talking about the inspiration behind his work, Mr Koval said, “The Volgograd road safety matryoshka reflects the history of our city, from the fortress of Tsaritsyn to the Battle of Stalingrad, the 70th anniversary of which we are marking this year. The two waves symbolise the continuity of the generations. The hero’s hands are pointing to a medal for bravery and a seat belt: “Buckle up and be a hero”. Our city’s coat of arms symbolises the confluence of the Don and Volga rivers, which meet in Volgograd, and also the sign of Jesus Christ the Saviour. Just as our city saved the world, a buckled up seat belt saves human lives.

The “Buckle Up!” campaign is being run by the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in partnership with the Russian Association of Motor Insurers and the NGO Road Safety Russia. The main campaign events are being held in ten large Russian cities: Vladimir, Veliky Novgorod, Vologda, Saratov, Arkhangelsk, Volgograd, Petrozavodsk, Kaluga, Pskov and Moscow. 

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