by Ilenia and Oriana Folisi
Il Coordination of Enna of the Fiat 500 Club Italia, led by the trustee Pietro Folisi, together with the Santa Chiara Institute with the patronage of the Municipality of Calascibetta, in collaboration with the Police, the Pro-loco Association and the ONVGI has organized two days of road education on 12 and 14 May 2025 entitled "The Rules and the Road". In the name of safety and awareness, the pupils of the third classes of the Primary School and of the first classes of the secondary school for the theoretical part and all other classes for the practical part. The event aimed to raise awareness among the younger ones on respecting the rules of the highway code and on the importance of responsible behavior, both as pedestrians and future drivers.
The first day took place inside the school, where the operators met the students for a interactive lesson. With the help of videos, explanatory signs and quizzes, the Carabinieri and the Police illustrated the main road signs, the rules of correct behavior when riding bicycles and scooters, and the dangers associated with distraction or speed. The Local Police also explained how traffic lights work, the importance of pedestrian crossings and the fundamental role of traffic police in managing city traffic.
The second day took place outdoors, in the central Piazza Umberto I, transformed for the occasion into a a real road circuit, where the vehicles of the Highway Police, the Carabinieri and the Fiat 500 of the Enna Coordination were also on display. The kids were able to put into practice what they had learned in the classroom, trying their hand at routes with road signs, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and marked lanes.
One of the most engaging moments was the simulation of a road accident: a Fiat 500 hits a pedestrian on a crosswalk, before the watchful eyes of the students. The timely intervention of the ONVGI volunteers allowed us to show the rescue operations live: securing the area, first aid on the injured person and simulation of the call to 118. A realistic and touching experience, which made the students understand how important it is to pay attention to driving and respect pedestrians.
The boys were enthusiastic and curious about being able to boarding police cars and motorcycles. A concrete experience that made road safety education closer and more real. Climbing into police vehicles transformed a simple theoretical lesson into a practical and exciting moment, stimulating interest and motivating awareness of respecting road rules. This activity also encouraged direct contact with the Police, helping the kids to better understand their role and develop a greater civic sense.
To make the day even more special, for the occasion the Enna Coordination created an original song on road safety education, performed by the students themselves with the support of the teachers. The song, cheerful and engaging, conveyed the fundamental messages related to the theme in a simple and direct way. The musical performance he closed the event with enthusiasm, giving smiles and applause from all those present.
The active participation of the children, combined with the professionalism of the operators, made the event a success. Parents and teachers praised the initiative, underlining how fundamental it is to start cultivating civic sense and respect for road rules from an early age.
«Road education – declares Pietro Folisi – it is not only a school requirement, but an investment in everyone's safety: initiatives like the one in Calascibetta demonstrate how collaboration between schools, institutions and associations can really make a difference".
Folisi thanks people and institutions who made the realization of this important initiative possible in Calascibetta: the school principal Antonietta Di Franco for having believed from the beginning in the educational value of this project, supporting it with conviction and dedication; the commissioner Giuseppe Cammarata, the inspector Maurizio Rizza, the superintendent Roberto Bellomo, the superintendent Antonio Bellomo, the superintendent Dario Martello, the assistant chief Restivo Giuseppe; the lieutenant Arcangelo Carletta, the lieutenant Vito Rosselli, the corporal Giuseppe Lauria, the corporal Marco Fazzi, the corporal Mario Cascio; the commander of the Municipal Police Piera Dello Spedale Venti; the Highway Police, the Carabinieri, the Municipal Police and the ONVGI for their precious collaboration, the professionalism demonstrated and the constant commitment to raising awareness among our young people on the issues of road safety. All of them were given Club plaques and pennants. A heartfelt thanks to the Pro Loco of Calascibetta, for the organizational support and the passion with which it always supports initiatives aimed at the community. A thank you to the Municipal Administration, in the person of the mayor Piero Capizzi and the Councilor for the competent branches, for the institutional support and the concrete closeness to the school and the territory. A special thanks to Enna Coordination staff (Folisi G., Lombardo and Morgano) for their enthusiastic participation and for enriching the event with their presence and their spirit of sharing. Thanks to Francesca Pedevillano, for being able to capture with sensitivity and professionalism the most beautiful and significant moments of the day through her photographs. Thanks to CHILDREN, who actively participated with enthusiasm, curiosity and responsibility, demonstrating how important it is to continue investing in their civic education: they were given informative leaflets created specifically for the event, bags, balloons and gadgets from the Club.
And finally, a deep thanks to the teachers, who with professionalism and passion accompany our students every day in their growth path. Thank you all for contributing to the success of this fifth edition. Together, let's build a more aware and safe community.
