StreetSmart program helps students stay safe on roads
KOTA KINABALU: In its effort to help reduce road accidents, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) continues to spread road safety tips through its annual PETRONAS StreetSmart programme, this time benefitting 200 students from SMK Sanzac, Kota Kinabalu and SK Pekan, Kota Belud.
The road safety programme is carried out in collaboration with PETRONAS' Science Discovery Centre (PETROSAINS) and Road Safety Department (JKJR).
According to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, road accidents continue to be a major concern with 2017 recording over 400,000 cases out of which, over 6,000 people were killed.
Recently, during the Op Selamat 15 campaign held in conjunction with the Hari Raya season this year, the Royal Malaysia Police recorded over 24,000 accidents, an increase of about 9% from last year. Death toll increased by 0.4% to 249 fatalities.
PETRONAS StreetSmart, which takes a prevention-is-betterthan-cure stance, aims to instill at grass-root level the importance of observing road safety. It is one of PDB's Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, and mirrors the government's efforts to produce a generation of safe and responsible road users.
The programme features a three-hour workshop with dedicated module involving theoretical and practical approach to grasp the importance of staying alert and safe on the road. Interesting modules related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) were also crafted where students will be engaged in a fun yet informative approach to understand topics related to road safety topics. Students will then be expected to act as an ambassador to remind family, friends and community to practice road safety measures on a daily basis.
Speaking about the initiative, PDB's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir said, “At PDB, road safety is of utmost concern for us given that we are in the business of fueling our customers' everyday journey. The PETRONAS StreetSmart is our grass-root programme to embed a safetyfirst mindset amongst the young ones and mould these future drivers to be responsible when on the road.”
The programme began with an interesting show by PETROSAINS to demonstrate the scientific concept behind road safety, followed by road safety briefing by JKJR. Secondary students were taught to build a Smart Car model complete with safety aspects which they then used to compete in a Line Tracking and Obstacle Avoidance simulation. Primary students on the other hand participated in the Be Bright, Be Seen challenge where they were guided to develop a wearable auto-light using Microbit.
The Excellent Principal for SMK Sanzac, Dr Shirley Tay Siew Hong commented, “Our students' safety remains our top priority and we are indeed pleased that PETRONAS brought the StreetSmart programme to our school. The programme is very enlightening, educational and interactive as well, hence the students are able to remember better what they have learnt. There's no other effective way to instill good and safe habits than starting them young.”
Thus far, PETRONAS StreetSmart has benefitted close to 5,000 students from over 50 schools across the nation. PDB also organises the PETRONAS Coffee Break campaign during Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Gawai and Hari Kaamatan festivities to remind travelers to be alert on the road during the balik kampung period.
For more information on PDB's initiatives, please visit www. mymesra.com.my