Year: 2018

Speed limits: a sensitive and always hotly debated issue that divides public opinion and worries professionals. The results of a study carried out in 10 countries by the International Transport Forum provide an answer to the question of whether the current limits should be raised. The answer is significant. Research has confirmed that, with a 10% increase in speed limits, 40% more fatal accidents would be recorded. Not only more fatalities, but also more accidents involving injuries (+20%) and more non-fatal injuries. 

The 10 countries covered by the analysis were Australia, Austria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United States, i.e. those that have taken action on road safety by lowering limits or introducing automatic speed control systems such as Tutors.  An analysis of the data showed that roads with lower speed limits were also the safest, with fewer accidents and fewer fatalities, confirming that increasing speed limits does not lead to a reduction in accidents and fatalities.

This is something that we at Safety21, who also work to raise road safety standards through the installation of speed control equipment, can confirm: where we have been involved, the average speed has fallen and, consequently, so has the number and severity of accidents, with a resulting increase in the sense of safety on urban and non-urban roads.

The ASAPS (Association of Supporters and Friends of the Traffic Police) Observatory comments on Vehicular Homicide: figures for 2017 show a 6.6% drop in hit-and-runs, compared to 2016. “Those who claimed (critically) that following Italian Law no. 41/2016 on Vehicular Homicide, we would see an upsurge in serious hit-and-run incidents were wrong”, comments ASAPS president, Giordano Biserni.

According to the ASAPS Observatory, there were 1,113 hit-and-runs in 2017, compared with 1,192 in 2016, and the number of injuries fell even more sharply, with a double-digit drop of 12%.

There was, however, a slight increase in the number of fatalities, with 118 deaths in 2017 compared with 115 in 2016: an increase of 2.6%.

The number of ‘hit-and-run’ drivers who were identified was 597 or 53.6%. The percentage rose to 64.1% for fatal hit-and-runs, with 75 drivers identified (45 reported and 30 arrested) out of 117 fatalities. The number of ‘hit-and-run’ drivers who tested positive for alcohol or drugs is still decreasing, with a percentage that stopped at 12.9%, and at 13.3% for fatalities.

Unfortunately, the most vulnerable road users are still the primary victims of hit-and-runs, particularly pedestrians, who were involved in 435 incidents, followed by cyclists. While in terms of geography, Lombardy still ranks first, with 179 incidents (16%), Campania second with 120 (10.8%), followed by Emilia Romagna with 108 (9.7%).

On 7 and 8 June, the Palazzo delle Stelline in Milan hosted “Innovazione Direzione Nord, l’innovazione che serve” (Innovation Heading North, the innovation you need), a series of topical meetings focusing on the innovations that are transforming everyday life. Safety21 contributed to the event, bringing its experience to the discussion panel on the “future of mobility”

In Milan, known as the centre of experimentation and dynamism, the debate found a more than adequate setting to reflect on the technology (present and future) that is needed to transform cities in an increasingly smart and innovative way, encouraging movement and the adoption of advanced measures, including with regard to road safety.

In this context, thanks to Paolo Tommasini, Business Development Manager of Safety21, we brought our experience in the field to the discussion table moderated by journalist Roberto Poletti. Claudia Terzi, Lombardy Regional Councillor for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility, and Andrea Gibelli, Chairman of FNM (Milan Rail Company) also took part in the discussion, with a closing speech by the Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Milan, Arianna Censi.

Our integrated TITAN platform and Safe Pedestrian 2.0, the product of Safety21’s ongoing investment in research and innovation, were the technologies we offered as examples of smart applications to the safety of citizens and cities. In these contexts, as our CEO Gianluca Longo pointed out in an interview with Affari Italiani, the effectiveness of the tools is also measured in terms of compliance with data protection regulations, guaranteed levels of cyber security and transparency for citizens.

On 7 and 8 June, Palazzo delle Stelline in Milan hosts “Innovazione Direzione Nord, l’innovazione che serve” (Innovation Heading North, the innovation you need): two days of topical meetings involving institutions, companies and associations focusing on the best innovations that transform everyday life, from medical technologies to robotics and new forms of living and moving around in an increasingly smart city.

On Friday, 8 June at 10.30 am, the debate on mobility, present and future, will involve Safety21 with a presentation by Paolo Tommasini, Business Development Manager (second session – topical meeting: “New Forms of Living and Mobility” – introduced by: Arianna Censi, Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Milan)

Also taking part in the meeting, moderated by journalist Roberto Poletti, will be Claudia Terzi, Lombardy Region Councillor for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility, and Andrea Gibelli – FNM (Milan Rail Company) Chairman.

As part of its ongoing commitment to improving its services, Safety21 also achieved ISO 14001 certification this year by adopting the appropriate integrated environmental policy tools aimed at preserving the ecosystem and promoting constant improvements for its protection.

What are the main benefits of ISO 14001 certification?

Controlling and reducing negative impacts on the environment: improving the management of operations and services provided by Safety21.

Saving energy and raw materials: identifying possible reductions in terms of energy and raw materials.

Poor visibility during the day and at night is one of the main causes of accidents on pedestrian crossings. This is a problem that affects Italy, but also the whole of Europe because, even now, far too large a proportion (30%) of accidents occur on zebra crossings.

By devising Safe Pedestrian 2.0, Safety21 has introduced a concrete response to the crisis, exploiting Cloud and IoT technology and an advanced lighting and filming system, which looks to the present and future of cities, using a smart approach. The system consists of:

4 high-brightness LED beacons triggered by 4 photocells when a pedestrian is on the pavement

2 presignals placed 70 metres before the crossing to alert motorists of the presence of a pedestrian, enabling them to slow down and stop in time.

A total of 6 signal light pulses that automatically work in advance when triggered by human presence, to increase the visibility of the pedestrian crossing, while a fisheye camera with 360° and quad view monitors the crossing in real time and allows for retrieval of recordings in the event of an accident. A truly Smart City will always give priority to protecting the health and safety of its citizens.

Safety21‘s social commitment starts with the promotion of a road safety culture, a mission it shares with educators, authorities, and police forces. Through the “Ti Voglio Bene” (I Love You) project, developed in collaboration with Rome’s La Sapienza University, the company has built a special relationship with young people, towards whom it directs most of its education and awareness initiatives.

Because “Safety21 wants to make a major contribution to society, with young people and through young people”, conveying positive messages and making young people more aware of their own limits.

Reflecting on the value of the company’s ethical commitment is its promoter, Domenico Mazzilli, Safety21’s Chairman, who during his career served as National Director of the Traffic Police Service and conceived and promoted road safety and legality projects, such as “Il Pullman Azzurro” (The Blue Coach), not only in Italy but also exported abroad.

In line with its mission and social commitment, Safety21 has joined the European Road Safety Charter.

Created in 2004, the Charter, led by the European Commission, is the largest civil society platform on road safety. Among its goals, it aims to facilitate the acquisition and sharing of knowledge on road safety issues and to facilitate an effective dialogue for sharing road safety expertise and practices at every level of governance in the European Union.

More than 3,400 public and private bodies have committed themselves to the Charter by carrying out operations that have strengthened road safety culture throughout Europe and contributed to the creation of preventive measures and solutions.

Safety21, which has always been on the front line in promoting road safety and respect for traffic regulations, is also making its contribution by providing daily support to Public Authorities in improving safety standards in the area, investing in innovative technologies, such as Safe Pedestrian 2.0 and the educational project “TI Voglio Bene” (I Love You), an activity created with the specific aim of educating young people in the risks involved in driving and which has already reached out to secondary school pupils in several Italian cities.

Another confirmation for Safety21.

Already counted among the Champions of Growth in Italy and included in Inc’s European ranking, our company has entered the prestigious “FT1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies“, the Financial Times‘ annual ranking that selects the one thousand European companies with the greatest economic growth.

Between 2013 and 2016, the period considered in the British business daily’s study, Safety21 recorded growth of 198% and an average percentage growth rate (CAGR) of 43.9%. Elements that allowed us to enter the ranking in 778th place.

“We are proud to be ranked as one of the most promising technology companies in Europe by the Financial Times,” commented Safety21 CEO Gianluca Longo. “Dealing with road safety is a duty and a responsibility, but it is certainly not an easy mission. I share this achievement with all those who work with us. It is the product of an investment plan involving people, services and innovative technologies that, in a few short years, has turned us into a respected and competitive company, both nationally and internationally. It is also confirmation of the solidity of our business model, which enables us to offer measurable support in terms of short-term results to all stakeholders, public authorities, and police forces who are working in Italy and around the world to raise road safety standards”.

Safety21 is growing and Inc. Magazine has also noticed this, including our company in its annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in Europe.

The 2018 Inc. 5,000 Europe ranking is based on turnover growth over the previous three years. Safety21 is listed in 3,217 place with a 2016 turnover of €11.5 million and growth of 152.63%.

This result adds to those recently achieved by Safety21, already included amongst the 2018 Growth Champions, the list of the 300 Italian companies with the highest growth rate that is drawn up by the German Institute for Quality and Finance.

These are important milestones that underline the entrepreneurial success of our company. Founded in 2011, today we represent a group of market-leading companies, capable of meeting the highest technological and service standards for road safety throughout the country by means of advanced solutions.