Friday, March 10th, 2017, the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST) held a ceremonial event to conclude the road safety project, entitled “Creating 96 Lebanese Youth Road Safety Activists in Northern Bekaa”, funded by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). The event took place in presence of representatives of Baalbeck-Hermel, heads and members of municipal councils, educational, and social figures. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death, especially among young individuals, which is why LOST, in partnership with OTI, implemented this project in Baalbeck-Hermel.
Dr. Ramy Lakkis, founder of LOST, explained that the goal of this project was to reduce traffic accidents and traffic victims, in addition to activating the cooperation with the security forces and municipal police and authorities concerned with traffic safety. Dr. Lakkis added that “this project was implemented because there is a big problem in the Baalbeck-Hermel province, where there is a victim of road accidents every five days, and in order to cure this problem, we need everyone’s cooperation through proper planning and effective coordination”. Baalbeck-Hermel is witnessing an increase in traffic accidents, while the rate is decreasing throughout the rest of the country. Therefore, Dr. Lakkis emphasized, “we must work on special awareness programs among youth”. Dr. Lakkis also stated that “it is not shameful to put a seatbelt on, and if we see it as shameful, then we are suffering from a social disease”.
Additionally, the president of the International Lebanese Academy for Traffic Safety, Mr. Kamel Ibrahim explained that the reality of traffic safety in Baalbeck-Hermel is the most serious in Lebanon, despite the introduction of a new traffic law. This is due to several reasons, such as: the deprivation suffered by the region, poor road maintenance, and the absence of culture about the importance of laws and regulations. Therefore, Mr. Ibrahim indicated, “this six-month project laid the foundations of traffic safety, at the level of young people in the region through a variety of implemented activities”. Mr. Ibrahim concluded by calling on the governor, municipalities, and stakeholders in the region “to give priority to the traffic safety issue for the benefit of the people of this region.”
In summary, traffic accidents come with a huge cost, whether on a physical, emotional, or a social level. With OTI’s support, LOST was able to spread awareness among youth about road safety in Baalbeck-Hermel, an area known for its high rate of road accidents. Recognizing the importance of spreading road safety awareness, especially among youth, is one step closer to preventing unfortunate traffic accidents, as well as decreasing the fatality rate in the region.
