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DE RUEHRO #0149/01 0391538
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081538Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3239
INFO RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE 4020
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN 0461
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES 4246

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 000149 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO OES/S FOR NANCY CARTER-FOSTER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON SOCI UNDP UNGA EU IT
SUBJECT: ITALY ON BOARD WITH U.S. SAFE DRIVING EFFORTS: 
RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING 
 
REF: STATE 6703 
 
¶1. (U) EconOff delivered the Safe Driving demarche on January 
19 to Ambassador Gabriele Sardo, diplomatic advisor to 
Minister of Transportation Altero Matteoli.  Sardo was very 
enthusiastic in his response.  He said that safe driving 
initiatives are a pet project of Minister Matteoli and that 
Italy is interested in partnership with the U.S. in this 
effort.  He said that Italy is particularly interested in 
moving the safe driving conversation beyond industrialized 
societies and working to build awareness among developing 
countries with rural populations who may not fully understand 
the dangers presented by distracted drivers.  Though Italy is 
enthusiastic and has several initiatives aimed to decrease 
traffic accidents and mortalities there has not been any 
effort so far to specifically target distracted driving. 
 
¶2. (U) Per Sardo's suggestion, EconOff had a follow-up 
meeting with Sergio Dandolini, director general of road 
security and safety, and Viviana Bianco, coordinator of 
international affairs, to obtain more detailed information on 
questions contained in the demarche. Responses follow: 
 
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EXISITING LAWS ON TEXTING/CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - 
 
¶3. (U) Since 2003 Italian law has prohibited the use of a 
cell phone while driving except by use of hands free 
technology.  Violation results in a five-point reduction in 
driver's license points.  Twenty points are required to 
maintain a license.  Italian law does not specifically 
address texting, though it could be viewed as being 
prohibited as it involves hands-on use of a cell phone and as 
there are other Italian driving regulations that require that 
both hads remain on the wheel.  Both Dandolini and Bianco 
admitted, however, that the both-hands-on-wheel law is 
difficult to enforce. 
 
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DATA ON DISTRACTED DRIVING CRASHES, INJURIES, FATALITIES 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - 
 
¶4. (U) Currently there is no specific data regarding 
distracted driving.  Italy participated in an EU-led program 
to reduce traffic fatalities by 50% from 2001 to 2010.  This 
effort did not target distracted driving, but focused on 
issues of speed and on not driving under the influence of 
alcohol or drugs.  From 2001 to 2008, Italy saw a 33% 
reduction in traffic mortalities, from about 8000 deaths in 
2001 to about 4700 in 2008.  Dandolini said this is better 
than the EU average reduction of 27%.  Preliminary data from 
2009 show a 14.8% reduction in traffic mortalities from 2008. 
 Additional data focusing on regional accident rates will be 
available in about 8 months. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶5. (U) Italy has not had any campaigns targeted at texting or 
cell phone use, but has focused a campaign  on safe driving 
in general.  "Sulla Buona Strada" (On the Good Road) focused 
on speed and not driving under the influence and highlighted 
increased penalties for driving infractions.  The public 
awareness campaign paid close attention to education of 
adolescents and used testimonials from athletes and other 
public figures.  Italy also performs regular sobriety checks 
on the road -- about 2 million from 2007 to 2009.  Dandolini 
said regular checks helped demonstrate that laws are being 
enforced and keeps drivers in line. 
 
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ADDITIONAL RESPONSES, SAFE DRIVING INITIATIVES 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶6. (U) According to Dandolini, other that what was outlined 
regarding mortalities, there is no available data regarding 
effectiveness of laws to reduce distracted driving because 
distracted driving has not been specifically targeted. 
Dandolini also said he was unable to provide data regarding 
the prevalence of text messaging or cell phone use.  Post is 
working to obtain general cell phone and text messaging 
statistics from the appropriate GOI office. 
 
¶7. (U) Dandolini also said Minister Matteoli had submitted a 
proposal to the EU to require the placement of a "black box" 
in motor vehicles similar to the data recorder in airplanes. 
 
ROME 00000149  002 OF 002 
 
 
He believes data gathered from such a recorder would help in 
analysis of accidents and could lead to more effective 
measure to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. In 
addition, Dandolini said, the knowledge that a "black box" 
was recording their speed and actions while driving, would 
have the psychological effect of making drivers drive more 
prudently.  Finally, GPS on such data recorders could also 
help rescue services locate an accident. 
THORNE