FIA PRESIDENT JEAN TODT LAUNCHES ROAD SAFETY INITIATIVE
Posted: February 20, 2011 12:48 PM
The President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt, today launched Motorsport Ireland’s new road safety initiative which is supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and aimed at young drivers, particularly those aged between 17 and 24 who are most at risk on Irish roads. The initiative is part of Motorsport Ireland’s activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which will be launched on 11 May and aims to save five million lives on the world’s roads over the next ten years. From today (16 February 2011), all participants in Irish four-wheeled motorsport will display the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Tag which has been designed to encourage support for road safety. The tag, which has the message WEAR. BELIEVE. ACT., will reach an Irish audience of hundreds of thousands of motorsport fans with the clear message, ‘Motorsport supports safe driving’. Speaking at the launch, Mr Jean Todt said: “Our sport wants to do everything that it can to help spread the message about safe driving. Irish efforts to improve road safety have been most impressive, winning admiration around the globe. But we still believe that we can do more and that motorsport can help. Motorsport internationally has invested millions in safety. Indeed many key modern safety features like ABS brakes, tyre technology and crumple zones were developed in the crucible of motorsport before becoming standard on cars and saving many, many lives.” “This initiative is about declaring our support for safer roads and safer drivers, and encouraging our drivers, teams and thousands of fans to do the same.” Mr Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive of Motorsport Ireland said: “We know that in Ireland young people, and especially young males, are much more likely to be killed on the roads. We also know that motorsport is hugely popular, with fans turning out in their tens of thousands to support our national and international events. Motorsport Ireland is committed to promoting road safety in motorsports and this initiative will contribute to both the national and global campaigns to save lives on our roads.” Commenting on the initiative, Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “Tragically, young men are over represented in road deaths in Ireland. In fact, young men aged between 17 to 24 years of age are five times more likely to die on the road compared to the rest of the driver population. We also know that Ireland probably has one of the highest numbers of rallying fans per head of population in Europe so it is vital that we engage with this group at their level and in their space to effect changes in attitudes and behaviour. We are delighted to support Motorsport Ireland’s initiative which will take the safe driving message straight to the most important audience. It will show that if you love driving and you love motorsport, then you should respect the roads and drive safely.” Motorsport Ireland’s message was supported by its two young Ambassadors for Road Safety, rally drivers Craig Breen (21) from Waterford, and Toni Kelly (22) from Donegal. Their messages to young drivers are simple:
o Taking risks on public roads isn’t cool. o If a young driver wants to practise their skill behind the wheel of a car, they can do so in a controlled environment through organised Motorsport events. All participants in Motorsport will now be encouraged to “Wear the TAG”, the metal badge that declares their support for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The tag and further information on the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety is available at www.decadeofaction.org
Posted: February 20, 2011 12:48 PM
The President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt, today launched Motorsport Ireland’s new road safety initiative which is supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and aimed at young drivers, particularly those aged between 17 and 24 who are most at risk on Irish roads. The initiative is part of Motorsport Ireland’s activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which will be launched on 11 May and aims to save five million lives on the world’s roads over the next ten years. From today (16 February 2011), all participants in Irish four-wheeled motorsport will display the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Tag which has been designed to encourage support for road safety. The tag, which has the message WEAR. BELIEVE. ACT., will reach an Irish audience of hundreds of thousands of motorsport fans with the clear message, ‘Motorsport supports safe driving’. Speaking at the launch, Mr Jean Todt said: “Our sport wants to do everything that it can to help spread the message about safe driving. Irish efforts to improve road safety have been most impressive, winning admiration around the globe. But we still believe that we can do more and that motorsport can help. Motorsport internationally has invested millions in safety. Indeed many key modern safety features like ABS brakes, tyre technology and crumple zones were developed in the crucible of motorsport before becoming standard on cars and saving many, many lives.” “This initiative is about declaring our support for safer roads and safer drivers, and encouraging our drivers, teams and thousands of fans to do the same.” Mr Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive of Motorsport Ireland said: “We know that in Ireland young people, and especially young males, are much more likely to be killed on the roads. We also know that motorsport is hugely popular, with fans turning out in their tens of thousands to support our national and international events. Motorsport Ireland is committed to promoting road safety in motorsports and this initiative will contribute to both the national and global campaigns to save lives on our roads.” Commenting on the initiative, Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “Tragically, young men are over represented in road deaths in Ireland. In fact, young men aged between 17 to 24 years of age are five times more likely to die on the road compared to the rest of the driver population. We also know that Ireland probably has one of the highest numbers of rallying fans per head of population in Europe so it is vital that we engage with this group at their level and in their space to effect changes in attitudes and behaviour. We are delighted to support Motorsport Ireland’s initiative which will take the safe driving message straight to the most important audience. It will show that if you love driving and you love motorsport, then you should respect the roads and drive safely.” Motorsport Ireland’s message was supported by its two young Ambassadors for Road Safety, rally drivers Craig Breen (21) from Waterford, and Toni Kelly (22) from Donegal. Their messages to young drivers are simple:
o Taking risks on public roads isn’t cool. o If a young driver wants to practise their skill behind the wheel of a car, they can do so in a controlled environment through organised Motorsport events. All participants in Motorsport will now be encouraged to “Wear the TAG”, the metal badge that declares their support for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The tag and further information on the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety is available at www.decadeofaction.org
No comments:
Post a Comment