Shell Indonesia launched “Road Safety: Think Safety, Act Safely” program, by involving elementary school students in Jakarta. This program is part of Shell Indonesia’s social investment/Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which has an objective to give active contribution towards road safety and security in the streets. Darwin Silalahi, Country Chairman and President Director PT Shell Indonesia stated, “Shell is really concerned with road safety. This program is intended to increase people’s awareness and traffic ethics. We want people to be safe on the road in order to reduce traffic accidents figures and other effects”. In the world, it is estimated around 1,2 million lives were lost every year due to traffic accidents, reported in World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention by WHO (World Health Organisation). In the next 20 years, the figures is estimated to increase by 65%, if no real action taken to prevent them. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, every year it is recorded that 30,000 lives were lost due to traffic accidents. Traffic accident is the third cause of death – after heart problem and stroke. Adjar Triyadi, Deputy Directorate Traffic of Indonesian Police, stated, “Accident figures in Indonesia tends to increase each year. In 2007, 5.154 cases were recorded in Jakarta. For those cases, 999 people lost their lives and the rest suffered major and minor injuries. In 2006, 4.407 cases were recorded and in 2005, 4.156 cases were recorded. There are 3 factors which causes accidents: human factor, vehicles and road. More than 80% cases were caused by human factor. Low awareness of traffic discipline becomes the major cause. Victims of motor accidents are not the only ones who are at loss, but also the family of the victims. It is especially true if the victims are head of the families or bread winners. Therefore, it is important to instill the values of safe and secure driving, especially with the increase in the numbers of vehicles. Adjar stated, “Traffic rules and systems are very complex, therefore community’s capability in road traffic must be enhanced. We must give a suitable and sustainable education. Traffic education must be given since early age, which is why we fully support the Road Safety program initiated by Shell. Road Safety education which involves elementary school children will certainly provide hope in bring behavioural changes for the community.” “Traffic regulations and system are very complex, therefore people need to improve their driving ability. We are supporting Road Safety Program initiated by Shell, because we believe that appropriate and continuous education on traffic safety need to be delivered in early age. Hopefully, Road Safety Program which involve elementary school will bring behavioural changes in the community. ” added Adjar. “Road Safety: Think Safety, Act Safely” initiated by Shell and in cooperation with Indonesia Police Force and Yayasan SEJIWA will involve 1,200 students from 4th and 5th grade from 8 elementary schools in Jakarta. The program is to be implemented until 2010. “We wish to enlighten traffic ethics and the importance of safety driving to the young generation. We hope the program can be implemented continuously and able to provide positive contribution to the community.” explained Darwin. Bemmy Indiarto, Department of Agency of Basic and Middle School Education of Province of DKI Jakarta, showed his support for the Road Safety program which involve elementary school students. According to Bemmy Indiarto “Other than developing potential of students, the purpose of education is to teach self control, as well as to develop personality and skills needed for themselves and the society. The Road Safety program will be very useful because it will create generation that is skillful in driving and has good traffic ethics. I hope Road Safety Program can transfer positive behavioral to the nation.” Darwin added, “Reducing the number of accidents is our collective responsibility and we need to start with self awareness. The more people actively involved, the faster traffic safety ethics changes will be able to be realised. Elementary school students are expected to be a better road user generation, and can act as change agents”.
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