What is the number 1 killer of 15 to 29 years old? Road accidents.
To put it in perspective: Globally, 1.3 million people are killed on the road every year with an average of 1 person every 30 seconds. 500 young kids are killed on the road every day. 50% of all deaths involve pedestrians. All of these are absolutely preventable. In the short amount time it took you to read this, 1 more life has been taken away.
In Malaysia alone, an average of 6,000 to 7,000 traffic related deaths are recorded yearly, much higher compared to other countries, reports Mohan Ramanujam. Statistics shows that while the world average record is 18 deaths per 100,000 of the population, Malaysia registered at 23.6 deaths per 100,000.
The numbers are staggering, and it calls for better road safety education. As such, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh recently help launched the Safe Steps Road Safety campaign at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
She was joined by Datuk Sri Liow Tiong Lai, minister of transport; Jean Todt, President of the FIA and the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety; and Donald Kanak, Chairman of Prudence Foundation.
The objective of the Safe Steps Road Safety campaign programme is to raise awareness on traffic accidents by providing clear and simple life-saving guidance through the dissemination of videos concerning the risks of drunk driving, distracted driving, the importance of seat-belts, adherence to speed limits, as well as motorcycle and pedestrian safety.
At the press conference, Yeoh said the best way to educate the public about road safety is to start with the younger generation. “We are hoping to start soon with the schools, and I have already been approached. It’s a collaborative effort with the government, the private sector, with individuals and especially with schools.
“We have the messages right now, but we need to work together with the schools where it becomes part of the curriculum. We will be assisting schools in getting the Safe Steps videos and pamphlets, so that children can be taught the correct thing to do, and in turn, they can pass the message on to adults,” said the Safe Steps Road Safety Ambassador.
The Safe Steps Road Safety campaign features Yeoh in a series of 60-second educational videos on road safety.
Watch an example below:
Do check out Safe Steps’ official website for access to educational materials such as pamphlets and posters that can be downloaded for further dissemination.
Alternatively, you can also check out their YouTube channel to watch more public service announcement (PSA) videos featuring Yeoh.
