The National Department of Transport, South Africa today announced a partnership with Michelin Corporate Foundation to launch a multi-faceted Road Safety initiative in South Africa to focus on young drivers’ safety. The program utilizes behavior change principles to empower youth with knowledge, skills, training, and resources to take action against road incidents.
Global stats show that in 2015, South Africa reported almost 14 000 road fatalities, of that 29 % were drivers and 38% passengers in light motor vehicles, and on a global scale, 59% of all road traffic deaths are young adults. “It is essential for us to teach and build awareness among the youth to help protect them and make them responsible drivers. We believe our program with the Michelin Corporate Foundation will go a long way in sustaining this effort in our country for safer roads.” Whitey Maphakela, Chief Director: Road Safety, National Department of Transport, South Africa.
“The Michelin Corporate Foundation perpetuates the Michelin Group’s societal engagement everywhere in the world through various programs where Sustainable Mobility and Road Safety are key priorities,” said Mr. Philippe Verneuil, President for Michelin Africa, India, Middle East. “We are pleased to partner the Department of Transport in South Africa for the Road Safety Youth Ambassador project over the next three years. We are determined in ‘Helping people move forward’ and believe this program will assist the community of Limpopo to move forward towards a better tomorrow by tackling topics like basic vehicle control, dealing with an emergency situation and, the social and economic consequences of crashes, to name a few.”
The first phase of the program will complement the Department of Transport’s Road Safety Youth Ambassador program by training 20 youth ambassadors, from Limpopo Province. This will be done, by leveraging the international youth ambassador program of Youth for Road Safety (YOURS).
Phase two will focus specifically on the activities of the two Youth Road Safety Ambassadors in the Bela-Bela and Modimolle Municipalities over a three year period. This will serve as a lead demonstration program for the other 18 ambassadors and provinces.
The 10 schools selected are:
| Bela-Bela region | Modimolle region |
| Raeleng Secondary School | Phagameng High School |
| Bela-Bela Secondary School | Nylstroom High School |
| Maope High School | Mohlakamotala High School |
| Eden Christian School | Susan Strijdom Special School |
| Warmbad High School | Academia Private School |
The objective of this phase is to create voluntary circles of young people to improve their knowledge and behavior before they obtain a driver’s license. These young people are encouraged to become ambassadors for safe and courteous behavior through the participation in discussions and programs during which they share knowledge and ideas with peers and parents.