|
The 2003 Prince Michael Road Safety Awards
-- International
(3
December, 2003)
TRL - PIONEERING ROAD SAFETY WORK IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
TRL leads the way on road safety research in developing countries and has done so for nearly three decades. As a result of this work, road safety is now recognised as one of the major issues facing developing countries, from being a largely neglected subject two or three decades ago. This recognition is now focussing action and support to tackle the toll of nearly one million deaths per annum world-wide. Besides exposing the problem and providing a comprehensive understanding of its nature, TRL has developed practices - by education, operations, and engineering - to save unnecessary loss of life and the associated financial damage. There is still an enormous task ahead; but as a result of their pioneering work, and ongoing future research, development, and advisory
programmes, the TRL teams have brought about a sea-change in how developing countries are able to address the problem, and in the actions of the agencies of the developed countries that support them.
Contact: Rod Kimber 01344 773131 rkimber@trl.co.uk
http://www.trl.co.uk/
DRIVE ALIVE -- South Africa
Drive Alive was officially formed in 1989 as a non-profit people's road safety organization in South Africa. Working in conjunction with the Department of Transport, it reaches areas the Department does not.
Drive Alive is dedicated to educating the youth of the country, changing the attitudes of road users, and creating a climate where the law is implemented and the government recognises the necessity for increased law enforcement.
Chosen as number one project by the Global Road Safety Partnership under the auspices of the World Bank, in 2000 the Drive Alive Pedestrian Visibility Campaign educates the public and advocates legislation to make it compulsory for all school uniforms to be reflective to increase pedestrian visibility. A TV series 'Soul
Buddyz' with the highest ratings of any children's TV series in the country has been used together with school, volunteer and parents' groups to deliver the Pedestrian Visibility Campaign.
Theatre is also used to put across the key safety messages - The Plastered Cast Theatre Company produces a 30 minute revue called
'Syabonna'- Seen and be seen- under the direction of 'Drive Alive' using road safety and reflective rules with
humour, music, dance and acting.
Moira Winslow who leads Drive Alive has become a well-regarded national figure campaigning for improved road safety education in S Africa, where the statistics are appalling. This award will help her to raise awareness both at home and across the world of the huge road safety problem which is facing society in the emerging countries of our world.
Contact: Moira Winslow safety@drivealive.org.za
THE EUROPEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (EuroNCAP)
Given that there had been no significant change in car safety legislation for almost 20 years the UK Government encouraged the establishment of Euro NCAP in 1997 to provide motoring consumers with an independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. Based on similar programmes already running in America and Australia, this independent consumer led programme is now backed by five European Governments, the European Commission and motoring and consumer organisations in every EU country.
Since its launch, Euro NCAP has tested nearly 200 different makes and models of cars. Some have been re-tested after manufactures have made changes to improve crash performances. Euro NCAP has rapidly become a catalyst for encouraging fast and significant safety improvements in particular to secondary safety design in new cars and its star rating system is widely recognised by consumers and manufacturers.
Contact: www.euroncap.com
|