Dubai: “What is the first thing you do when you get into a car?” asks the instructor, and 60 primary schoolchildren reply in one voice: “Seatbelts!”
Gathered in Jebel Ali Primary School’s gymnasium, the children sat in rapt attention during a road safety class held as part of the ‘My First Licence — I Know My Road Rules’ campaign.
In an effort to inculcate road safety habits in youngsters, the My First Licence campaign comprises two sessions led by a qualified instructor. The first session is a 15-minute classroom interaction where children learn the basic road rules and signs. The second session is a fun, interactive learning experience complete with a mock driving test during which children navigate pedal cars through a mini road network in the school campus, complete with road signs, zebra crossings, a roundabout and traffic signals.
Organised by Total Marketing Middle East and Ciel Marketing and Events, and endorsed by Dubai Police, this year’s campaign has reached over 5,000 primary school children between the ages of four and nine in 10 schools across Dubai, including Jebel Ali Primary School.
Eight-year old Matthew, a Grade 2 student, said after attending the special classes: “The most important thing I learned today was that we’re not supposed to use our phones while driving because it is dangerous.”
The consequences of dangerous driving are clear and, according to statistics from Dubai Police, an estimated 1,273 injuries resulting from road accidents involve people in the 18-35 age group. This figure represents 61 per cent of all road traffic injuries in Dubai emirate.
Matthew’s classmate Toby, also aged eight, said: “I knew some rules but I learned a lot of new things today — about how we have to let people cross roads on pedestrian crossings. I’m going to be a lot more careful now. I have a younger sister, and I’m going to make sure to remind her to wear her seatbelt now.”
Each participant of the My First Licence programme received a licence endorsed by Dubai Police that states, ‘My First Licence — I Know My Road Rules’. The licence also bears the child’s name, photograph, and the name of their school. While this licence does not allow the participants of the programme to drive, it serves as proof that the child has an understanding of road safety.
In 2010, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recorded 1.24 million road deaths worldwide, with the UAE recording 10 road traffic deaths per 100,000 people. The WHO had at the time called for more awareness campaigns to ensure the safety of young drivers and pedestrians.
“We aim to instill good road safety habits in children of a young age and we are certain these children will have a positive influence on their parents’ driving styles and habits. In a way, we are trying to secure the roads of tomorrow, today,” said Roshanara Sait, director of Ciel Marketing and Events.
