The Traffic Department at the RTA in partnership with STS facilitated a Road Safety campaign for GEMS Education in February 2020. Week-long workshops for the student community were conducted to spread awareness on road safety protocols and traffic principles. The campaign was aimed at creating a positive change in the society and inspiring a culture of safety within the community by advocating road safety to students in a unique and interactive way.
Deema Hussein, Traffic Awareness Senior Manager, Traffic Department at the RTA, said, “Working hand in hand with STS on Road Safety Week will help us achieve a safer driving environment for all road users. We extend our efforts, through this campaign, to change the mindset of the youth and how they think and act about road safety. We aim to educate them on responsible safety habits, which are an integral component in developing Dubai’s road infrastructure to being truly world-class.”
Thomas Edelmann, Managing Director, RoadsafetyUAE said, “Nearly 60% of road fatalities in the UAE happen due to non-use of seat belts. We must educate our children about safe behaviour as early as possible.”
During the Road Safety Week, several activities such as workshops, awareness camps, debates and competitions were carried out across numerous GEMS schools.
GEMS Wellington School, Al Khail.
GEMS Metropole School, Motor City.
GEMS Wellington Primary School.
GEMS New Millennium School, Al Khail.
GEMS National School for Boys.
GEMS National School for Girls.
Our Own English High School Sharjah Boys.
Paul Slater, Vice President Health and Safety at GEMS Education said, “It is important that students learn about road safety from a very early age. Children can play an important role in influencing their parents, siblings, friends and family. Through this awareness campaign, we hope that students learn the importance of wearing seat belts and road safety in general and take the message beyond the school and home to the community at large.”
In effort to ensure continued awareness and learning towards road safety, we appointed student Safety Ambassadors during the workshop. The ambassadors received a safety badge and certificate, making them responsible for advocating road and transport safety to their peers, teachers and parents. The success of our endeavour was reflected in the students taking up a safety pledge after the tour that will prompt them to treat road safety management critically.
Steve Burnell, Managing Director at STS said, “As an important strategic service partner to the education community, it is our responsibility to continuously educate road safety habits among students and the broader community. We are thankful to all our partners who came forward in driving the road safety message and making this campaign a success.”
Being a recipient of the coveted Innovation Product Award by GESS Education Awards has strengthened STS’s resolve to expand the Smart Safety Bus initiative to all corners of the country. Going forward, plans are underway to link student participation and their takeaway from the programme to their school’s credit system and house points.
