Recently youth organization TeamAlert started the campaign “Rij Ballonvrij” again. The aim of this campaign is to combat the use of laughing gas behind the wheel among young people. The use of nitrous oxide in traffic is becoming increasingly common in the Netherlands. Last year, the police registered nearly 2019 traffic incidents involving nitrous oxide, while 1700 were reported in XNUMX. Although nitrous oxide is prohibited in traffic and there are high fines for this, young people sometimes use a balloon behind the wheel. For them, the car is the place to use laughing gas; it is a comfortable place with a lot of privacy, according to previous research by TeamAlert. As a result, young people quickly make the choice to drive under the influence of laughing gas and they no longer see the danger due to the effects of the substance. Using nitrous oxide in the car strongly influences the driver's reaction and judgment.
"Don't be a clown in traffic"
For TeamAlert it is clear: the use of laughing gas in traffic is life-threatening. In order to tackle this problem, TeamAlert started in 2020 with the “Driving Balloon Free” campaign. The continuation of this campaign begins today. With the slogan “don't be a clown in traffic”, TeamAlert wants to show young drivers and young passengers that using laughing gas in traffic is not okay.
“The police are increasingly seeing accidents in traffic that may have involved laughing gas. Unfortunately, it is therefore urgently necessary to point out to young people the effects of using nitrous oxide in traffic. Do not endanger yourself and others with the risk of serious accidents. Do not get behind the wheel under the influence of nitrous oxide and ask your friends not to do so either.”
During the campaign, TeamAlert will talk to young people about nitrous oxide in traffic via social media and youth workers, based on statements about this theme. In addition, TeamAlert shows the opinion of young people about laughing gas in traffic in a campaign video. On the website of “Row Balloon Free” TeamAlert provides information about the influence of nitrous oxide on your driving behavior and tips to prevent nitrous oxide while driving.
Fun action in Utrecht
In addition to launching the campaign online, TeamAlert recently organized a fun campaign in the center of Utrecht, on the Stadhuisbrug. There, youth information officers talked to young people about nitrous oxide in traffic.
Also read: Renewed campaign for the importance of good bicycle lighting
