The event entitled “SP 95 (ex SS 522) SAFER: fewer accidents, fewer victims” took place on Sunday evening at the Multifunctional Center of Briatico.
The meeting, born from a popular petition whose first signatory was the Vibo ETS Third Sector Forum, saw the synergy and active participation of numerous social entities, volunteers and active citizens of the area: in particular the pro-roundabout committee at the former SS 522 – SP 95 intersection – municipal Paradisoni – Punta Safò – Punta Scrugli, the Italian Association of Family Members and Road Victims APS, the AIDO Gruppo Briatico OdV, the Italian Red Cross (Costa degli Dei and Vibo Valentia Committees), the Augustus Prociv-Vibo OdV and the Rinascita per Zambrone Group.
The works, which lasted for over 3 hours, moderated and guided with balance and care by the Deputy Mayor of Briatico, Maria Teresa Centro, saw representatives of the voluntary sector, civic witnesses and representatives of local institutions succeeding themselves at the speakers’ table and among the public while images of the current state of the entire artery were projected on the screen, a visual document created by the spokesperson of the Third Sector Forum in collaboration with the journalist Francesco La Gamba.
THE INTERVENTIONS: TESTIMONIALS, COMPLAINTS AND CONCRETE PROPOSALS
• Commemoration and civic engagement:
Giuseppe Conocchiella opened the discussion, focusing his speech on the moving memory of the many victims (27 reconstructed from memory as there is no official registry) who lost their lives along this road artery. Conocchiella underlined how memory must be transformed into a strong push to shake the consciences of politicians and push institutions to adopt immediate measures to stop the trail of tragic accidents. Reporting emblematic data, he highlighted how the high traffic density of the SP95 even exceeds that of well-known roads such as the State Road 106, taking into account that it is 34.4 km compared to 491 of the latter, sending a clear message: «Living in Calabria must not mean resigning yourself to limitations; we need to overcome and fight political silence.”
• The strength of memory and the appeal of the community:
The contributions of Mariella Epifanio and Maria Turiano were profoundly touching and emotional.
Mariella Epifanio shared the painful testimony of the loss of a family member that occurred years ago on this road, followed over time by the disappearance of a school friend, reiterating that the commitment to adapting and making the artery safe must represent a collective civic duty even before a political one.
Maria Turiano, retracing the birth of the pro-roundabout committee following the too many accidents seen in front of her business, launched a heartfelt appeal: «Whoever has the power to act should intervene immediately to make this road safe. I want to create floral arrangements for those who are getting married and for those who are born, not for those who lose their lives on the asphalt.”
• Health, prevention and relief:
Angela Frati, President of AIDO, confirmed the association’s full support for the cause, underlining the value of life and prevention. Many road accidents lead to brain death and if they have chosen to be donors they become a gift of life.
Caterina Muggeri expressed regret for the absence of a part of regional and metropolitan politics, underlining how essential it is to guarantee both prevention and the presence of constant health care along the artery, including assistance to drivers caught driving in an unfit psycho-physical state.
The vice president of the Augustus Prociv-Vibo OdV, Maria Filippo Annunziata, highlighted the seriousness of the state of maintenance situation for emergency vehicles: the critical issues of the road surface put the operators themselves at risk and slow down response times in emergencies.
Giuseppe Alviano, for the Pro Rotatoria Committee, recalled the fatal accident of his relative, Gabriele, in the Briatise area while he was on his way to work. He retraced the stages of this civil battle, expressing confidence in the possibility of finally finding a listening ear and answers from the competent institutions, even if, although invited in advance for various reasons, they were not present.
• The voice of the Mayors, representatives of the Third Sector, citizens and institutions:
The meeting recorded the constructive interventions of the First Citizens present in the room:
Antonio Landro (Mayor of Parghelia) denounced the inadequacy of superficial interventions: «There is no need to mow the grass once a year. This road, which seems like a path rather than an arterial road, represents a terrible business card for an area with a strong tourist vocation.” Landro proposed approving a joint resolution on road safety in all the municipal councils of the district.
Sergio Pititto (Mayor of Pizzo) proposed the drafting of a shared and detailed document to be forwarded to the competent Ministry, so that it can be included in the financing plans for road safety of the entire stretch.
At this point some presidents of the associations present asked to intervene, Pitimada ARCI Caccia e Pesca, De Maria Pro loco Vibo Marina, Monteleone ANTEAS, Aremini secretary of the National Carabinieri Association section. VV and active citizens lawyer. Boragina, Hon. Giamborino, Dr. Gagliardi Councilor of the Municipality of Briatico and Dr. Marzano. They placed the emphasis on prevention, safe driving, the economic management of signage, the high flow of tourists from spring to autumn, the presence of industrial transport, the connection between the ports of Vibo Valentia and Tropea, the GDP produced by the tourist system of the Coast
of the gods at a regional level, the need for this artery to be a priority in the maintenance of approximately 900 km of provincial roads. Factors that must be brought to ministerial level for a feasibility study and investment in multiple trances.
Lidio Vallone (Mayor of Briatico) summarized the objective difficulties that local administrators face on a daily basis in maintaining such a complex artery safely, hoping for the reinsertion or correct classification of the road in the regional network to facilitate access to the necessary funds.
AN ENDING OF HOPE AND SHARED COMMITMENT
At the end of the evening, the Mayor Lidio Vallone and the Deputy Mayor Maria Teresa Centro took the task that the Municipal Administration of Briatico will convene a strategic technical table as soon as possible. The table will involve all the Mayors, political representatives and local committees for the definitive drafting of a single document of requests and priority interventions to be brought to the ministries concerned.
The meeting ended in a climate of strong determination, cohesion and hope, with the request to extend the time required for collecting signatures which have already exceeded 1100 between those online and on paper. The promoters handed over the engineer’s report to those present. Domenico Garrì with the emblematic title “A road between breathtaking views and insidious dangers”, offered free of charge. The promoters are completely satisfied because the evening outlined a clear, confident perspective based on concrete and feasible commitments. Territorial cohesion and a common will aimed at achieving the main objective were highlighted: safeguarding the lives of those traveling along the SP 95 in the hope that there will be no more victims even if zero accidents are still a utopia.