In the Czech Republic, the Famous Prague Clock will Stop to Mark a Day Without Hurry

On April 3rd, the Czech Republic observes the initiative "Day Without Hurry," aimed at reminding citizens of the country about the danger of haste, especially on the roads, which often leads to tragic consequences. During this event at 10:00 local time, the renowned Prague Astronomical Clock, a symbol of the city, temporarily ceased operation, as reported by Expats.cz.

It's reported that last year, the haste of Czech drivers resulted in 138 deaths on the country's roads. Therefore, the goal of the initiative organized by the Czech Insurance Association is to show that haste can lead to tragic outcomes and urge people to avoid unnecessary risks, especially when behind the wheel of a car. By pausing regular activities and encouraging people to reflect on their actions, organizers hope to reduce the number of accidents caused by excessive speed and haste.

"We are giving people a little more time to slow down and understand that not everything is urgent and that often it's better to be a few minutes late than not arrive at all," explained Jan Matoušek, Executive Director of the Czech Insurance Association. Several other organizations across the country have joined the Insurance Association's initiative, including the media, cultural and sports organizations, educational institutions, and more. Specifically, the Czech Football Association will postpone its main event of the week, the start of the country's Cup semi-final between "Opava" and "Sparta," in support of the "Day Without Hurry."

Universities and businesses have also joined the campaign. Companies such as BMW, MOL, DPD, Rekola, Vodafone, Rohlik.cz, and Intersnack will raise awareness among their customers about unnecessary haste in their communications.

It's worth noting that The Gaze previously reported Prague as the least accessible city in Europe for buying housing. Prices for housing in major European cities continue to rise sharply, and Prague residents face the most challenging issues. Residents of the Czech capital who work in the city and want to buy a 75-square-meter flat need to spend 25.3 annual salaries to afford such property.

According to analysis conducted by Czech housing associations, housing prices in Prague have risen by 50% in recent years. Looking back to 2010, property values in the Czech capital have increased by 120%. Additionally, over the past decade and a half, rental rates for housing have increased by 30%.