Dębica, 21 August 2008 – In the first half of 2008 there were 80 road accidents with 7 fatalities the Dębica county. There were also 382 road collisions recorded. Despite small fluctuations, the overriding trend is clear: for a couple of years, despite the efforts of the police and other services, the number of accidents has been growing. According to these sad statistics, overall in the Subcarpathian Province the Dębica county comes in second position after the Rzeszów region. Therefore during this year’s “Dębica for Dębica” Folk Festivity the leading topic will be the safety of all people on the roads.

According to figures from the Regional Police Headquarters in Dębica, more than 80% of accidents take place in built-up areas. However, as many as 40% of all fatalities happen in a non-built up area. The reason is that in non-urban areas we drive much faster and we accelerate much more eagerly. The highest number of accidents happens on National Roads Nos. 4 and 73, running through the territory of the Dębica county, and also in the main streets in the city of Dębica, namely Rzeszowska, Lwowska, Krakowska, Kościuszki and 1000-Lecia streets.

In 2007 most of the accidents were caused by drivers of passenger cars (119 accidents). It should be noted that there was also a high number of accidents caused by cyclists (14 incidents). In 2007 as many as 17 incidents were recorded where the perpetrators were drunk (in six cases these were pedestrians, and in eleven cases drivers). In the first half of 2008 the police recorded two cases of drunk people causing accidents.

The road accidents concern not only the police. In many accidents, and in most collisions, the fire brigade and medical emergency services are also involved. Every fifth calling-out of the fire brigade is associated with a road accident. In 2007 firemen intervened 940 times, of which 307 were because of fires and 572 because of other incidents. 61 false alarms were also recorded. In 2007 the emergency ambulance service intervened in 1,014 cases, including 227 road accidents.

The representatives of the safety enforcement agencies in Dębica agree that, year by year, the safety awareness of the Dębica population is growing; however, there are still accidents and incidents that could have easily been avoided or whose impact could have been limited, by complying with basic rules and by mastering straightforward skills.

Therefore, this year the leitmotif of 12th “Dębica for Dębica” Folk Festivity is safety. In the Wisłoka Sports Club stadium a “safe town” will be organized, where the attractions for the Folk Festivity visitors will be organized by the police, fire brigade and emergency ambulance services from Dębica, and also by the Provincial Driving Training Site from Rzeszów. Everybody will be able to participate in competitions and educational games devoted to road traffic, to learning the rudiments of first aid and the kiss-of-life, and also how to behave in case of fire. Additionally, during the Festivity there will be an opportunity to learn more about blood donation, and to meet in person voluntary blood donors from the Irena Domańska, MD Club of Voluntary Blood Donors , which has already been in operation for 37 years at Tire Company Dębica S.A.

“Despite all efforts, the safety statistics in the Dębica county are alarming. However, we have to realize that safety is not only influenced by the police, medical emergency services and fire brigade, but first and foremost by each of us. This year we are organizing the Folk Festivity jointly with Goodyear, a strategic partner of Tire Company Dębica S.A. that has been committed to safety issues since its founding. In this way the company wants to emphasize its involvement in the life of the city and the region. I am convinced that the safety campaign during the Folk Festivity will bring about tangible results in the improvement of safety in Dębica,” said Jacek Pryczek, President of the Management Board of Tire Company Dębica S.A. and Goodyear Dunlop Tires Polska.

The safety of drivers, passengers and everybody on the roads has been high on Goodyear’s agenda since the company’s founding. Goodyear designs and launches products that enhance safety standards. It also takes care of the development of practical skills in the area of road traffic safety. In turn, Tire Company Dębica S.A. has been involved for years now in supporting social and educational activities. In addition to many organizations and institutions, the rescue services can also count on Company support, i.e. the fire brigade, police and emergency ambulance services in the city of Dębica and in the Subcarpathian region.

The “Dębica for Dębica” Folk Festivity has been organized for the last 12 years now, by Tire Company Dębica S.A. Each year the Folk Festivity is accompanied by various attractions. This year the attractions will include, but not be limited to, concerts by the bands KOMBII and Pudelsi, and by a charity campaign for the needy.