He said: “Every year 1.2 million people die and over 50 million are injured on roads worldwide. This is unacceptable both from a moral and economical point of view. We can no more watch passively and blame these tragedies on sheer fatality. We all know that, quite to the contrary, most accidents can be avoided. Therefore we must take action right now.

“We need a global policy including important investments on safety and the education and training of road users. Otherwise, in the years to come, the problem will grow out of control and reach unbearable social costs.”

The ACI has petitioned the Italian government to spend on road safety 10 per cent of its yearly allocation for the development of road infrastructure. It has also mobilized its Club structure to help collect signatures for the Make Roads Safe global petition. On 15 February, 106 main offices, 1,500 branch offices, 900 repair shops, 3,700 breakdown vans and two safe driver training centres began collecting signatures. The petition is also available on the ACI website and on the websites of local Automobile Clubs.

Lucchesi added: “The Automobile Club d’Italia intends to launch an unprecedented general mobilization by summoning up all Club members, local Clubs, branch offices and associate companies in order to raise awareness and call on our institutions, political forces, non-governmental organizations, public and private companies, the media, opinion makers and public opinion to wage war against road accidents. We have a long path ahead of us and we need a keen, earnest, responsible contribution from everybody.”

The ACI has recruited a number of high profile partners to help promote the campaign. The petition can be signed at 18,000 petrol stations thanks to the partnership with Unione Petrolifera, as well as at municipal chemist’s shops following a partnership with the chemists’ association Assofarma. The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), the Erasmus network (incorporating students from all over the world), car and motorcycle dealers, and even cinemas have all committed to collecting signatures.

The media will be also used as an important campaign tool. As Lucchessi put it: “Coverage from the media is essential for the campaign to be a success.”

Publishing group Mondadori will publish the petition in its periodicals, with a special message in its women’s magazines. The ACI’s in-house monthly magazine L’Automobile, which is sent to 1.2 million members, is publishing the petition form with each issue.

Finally, the ACI is calling upon the 8,000 Italian Mayors, the Presidents of Italian Provinces and Regions to summon their respective councils on 23 April, during UN Global Road Safety Week, to put on agenda the issue of road safety and approval of the petition supported by ACI and FIA.

Luchessi added: “The target of reducing by half the number of road traffic injuries by 2010 is quite a challenge. Yet we are convinced that Italy can make it. But we need everyone’s contribution.”