The mission of the Cluj-Napoca Community for Safety is to create a city where everyone, especially children, is protected and safe. Through partnerships with local authorities, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations, we aim to develop practical safety solutions, focusing on road safety and fostering a culture of responsibility in traffic. We aspire for parents, teachers, and children to be informed, educated, and actively involved in preventing road accidents and reducing traffic risks.
The "Beloved Child on Board" project introduced innovation through an integrated approach to traffic safety by establishing the first Multisectoral Working Group on Child Passenger Safety in Vehicles.
Among the most important awareness activities were the broadcasting of public service announcements on various national radio and TV channels, the launch of the Practical Guide for Parents: Children's Safety in Cars, and traffic inspections conducted by the Cluj County Police Inspectorate.Additionally, in 2019, a train-the-trainer program was initiated to ensure the proper fastening of seat belts and the correct use of child car seats. This training, led by an international expert, benefited representatives from partner institutions.That year also marked the continuation of the research phase started prior to the project's launch, through an online study on practices, knowledge, and attitudes regarding the use of child restraint systems and seat belts in vehicles (October - November 2019).
The Action Plan was implemented through the Cluj County Police Inspectorate, involving traffic inspections aimed at enhancing the safety of child passengers through information campaigns, prevention activities, and enforcement of legal provisions regarding the use of child restraint systems and seat belts.In 2020, data collection continued with a field research study (observational) titled The Use of Car Seats for Child Passengers in Cluj-Napoca, conducted around schools.
The year 2021 was primarily marked by sustained efforts to educate and inform parents about the importance of using child car seats and seat belts, particularly through online platforms.
July 2022 marked a first in Romania with the launch of the country’s first mobile app dedicated to improving child safety in cars. That same year, the campaign “Together, We Buckle Up Our Little Passengers!” was also launched, marking the beginning of the second phase of the project.In 2022, a second training session was held to enhance the institutional capacity of the project’s partners. The training, titled “Child Safety Systems: Best Practices for Implementing Current Legislation”, involved 24 police officers from the Cluj County Police Inspectorate and the Local Police of Cluj-Napoca.A series of bi-weekly live debates, titled “How to Keep Our Little Passengers Safe”, was initiated on social media channels. Additionally, traffic inspections by the Cluj County Police Inspectorate continued as part of the project.
In 2023, Child Car Safety and MOL Romania launched the Car Seat Check program—advisory and inspection points for child car seats. Through this program, parents received free guidance on correctly installing car seats, positioning them in the vehicle, checking for potential defects or recalls, and verifying the condition and expiration of their chosen car seat.
In 2024, the Multisectoral Working Group on Child Passenger Safety in Vehicles took a step forward in enhancing child safety and beyond, evolving into the Cluj-Napoca Community for Safety. The "Safe Roads to School" project was also launched, addressing the safety challenges children face on their way to and from school.
