The Traffic Safety Agency (AVP) is launching its first national preventive campaign of the year, titled “Focus on the Road,” scheduled to run from January 12 to January 18. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of distractions while driving and encourage participants to pay closer attention to road safety, ultimately seeking to reduce traffic accidents.
Acting Director Mag. Saša Jevšnik Kafol emphasizes the campaign’s clear message: drivers must concentrate solely on the road, as any distraction increases the risk of accidents. “Before driving, settle all adjustments, calm down, and ensure peace in your vehicle. If you must attend to something urgent while driving, safely pull over to a suitable location. Do not endanger yourself and others,” Kafol warns.
During the campaign, police will intensify monitoring of mobile phone usage, along with other devices and equipment that can impair the driver’s ability to control their vehicle or perceive their surroundings. Special attention will be given to vulnerable participants, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter users. Last year, a total of 16,370 violations involving mobile phone use while driving were recorded, a decrease from 23,720 violations in 2024.
The campaign also highlights various distractions that reduce focus while driving, including setting navigation systems, adjusting multimedia and climate controls, listening to loud music, changing radio stations, searching for items in the vehicle, eating, smoking, applying makeup, engaging in emotional conversations with passengers, and attending to children or pets. Fatigue, drowsiness, and mental stress also contribute to reduced attention. AVP notes that inattentiveness can lead to slower reaction times, delayed recognition of traffic signals, and an increased likelihood of making poor decisions. This warning applies not only to motor vehicle operators but also to pedestrians and cyclists, who must ensure they are visible to other road users before crossing streets. “We also advise pedestrians against using distracting devices, as many step onto crossings or bike lanes while fixated on their screens without checking for safety. Even if you have the right of way, always make eye contact with drivers to confirm they see you,” Kafol advises.
Last year, AVP also examined the impact of roadside advertising billboards, which 90% of drivers find distracting. Based on these findings, the agency has proposed legislative changes and other measures aimed at mitigating risks posed by external distractions. The use of mobile phones remains particularly perilous; according to AVP data from 2024, 40% of drivers utilize phones without hands-free systems. Research indicates that just two seconds of uninterrupted phone use can elevate the risk of an accident by more than seven times. At a speed of 60 km/h, five seconds of looking at a phone equates to over 80 meters driven without attention, and at 130 km/h, it equates to more than 180 meters. While the law only permits hands-free device use, even this can diminish attention and prolong reaction times.
The “Focus on the Road” campaign represents a vital effort to enhance road safety awareness, reminding everyone to prioritize attention while driving to create safer roads for all users.