Mongolia Web News, Ulaanbaatar. Students rally on the  empty streets of Ulaanbaatar on Sunday to press their demands for a regular car free Sunday carrying sign saying "stop". Initiated by the World Health Organization in cooperation with a range of local NGO's Ulaanbaatar saw its central area almost entirely carless until eight in the evening. Only medical and emergency services were allowed to drive on the streets, encouraging to take out their bikes and skateboards and enjoy the pavement that is normally dominated by a smoking, roaring string of vehicles. 

In the last decade the use of cars has soared in Ulaanbaatar. In the 1990's a car was still a rare phenomena, but since several years the the city center turns into one big gridlock for most of the day. Apart from the logistical problems this entails it has become an environmental issue adding to the thickening air pollution in the city. But the inhabitants are probably most concerned about the aspect of safety. An Asian Development Bank study found that in 2003 over 5,278 accidents occurred with a fatality rate of 28 people per 10,000 vehicles, higher than nearly all other central Asian countries. 

Students crowded the streets rallying for a safer capital and more regular car free Sundays. Their mars ended on the central Sukhbaatar Square where a sign saying "Stop" was created of a multitude of burning candles in remembrance of all the traffic victims in recent years. The day was closed by a concert of several artists. 

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