Oct 9, 2013

Continental officially launches the second year's Youth Safe-Driving Program

Shanghai, China, October 10, 2013.Continental, a leading international automotive supplier, officially launched the second year's Youth Safe-Driving Program today at TongjiUniversity. Working in partnership with Safe Kids China, Continental expects the program to enhance road safety awareness and promote safe driving behavior among young drivers to ultimately reduce road injuries.This year's project will involve cooperation among more regions and institutions, including Peking University, Tongji University, Jinan University, Shanghai Normal University Tianhua College and Shanghai University of Technology to improve safe-driving awareness among more young drivers.

Image download

Dirk Remde, Head of the Business Unit Vehicle Dynamics of Chassis & Safety Division, of Continental China said, "Continental believes that safety is not just the development of technology but also a communications task. Therefore, we need to help young drivers develop safe and proper driving habits. We have always been committed to leading the future of safe driving, and are devoted to making 'Vision Zero' - a future without road accidents - a reality. We are very pleased to see that the Youth Safe-Driving Program 2012 has gained recognition and support among China's youth. The efforts and achievements of the students from our two participating institutions last year are exciting and inspire hope. We are looking forward to this year's project, which we hope creates more resonance in the future. Let us work together to advocate 'Safety for Everyone' and shape a 'Vision Zero' future."

Image download


According to the "2013 Global Road Safety Status Report" released by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.24 million people around the world are killed in car accidents every year. Road incidents become the leading cause of injury death among people aged 15-29. Faced with these grim road safety issues, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2011-2020 as a "Decade of Action for Road Safety," calling on Member States to take measures to reduce death and disability
caused by trafficinjuries. Therefore, Continental launched a "Safety Awareness Campaign" in China in 2012 to advocate "Safety for Everyone," as well as enhance public awareness and recognition of safe driving techniques. As one of the most important elements of this campaign, the Youth Safe-Driving Program helps young people develop right safe driving habitswhile effectively conveying "Be a Responsible Young Driver" to a broader group of young people through a series of experiential learning activities and interactive games.

Image download


According to the Shanghai Disease Control Center, traffic injuries are the primary cause of death among people aged 18 to 35 in Shanghai, accounting for 30 percent of all deaths. The figure has risen to 33 percent in 2012. Cui Min Yan, the chief representative and executive of Safe Kids Worldwide said, "Seeing these upsetting figures, we have come to realize the importance and necessity of spreading the concept of safe driving. We hope that by continually cooperatingwith Continental, more and more teenagers can develop road safety awareness. We also hope to promote safe driving habits through these activities. This year, we will utilize multiple communication channels to influence more people by carrying out an educational road safety project that focuses on experience and aims to achieve behavior change."

In May this year, Beijing University took the lead in launching the Youth Safe-DrivingProgram, followed by other colleges around the country, which launched a series of Youth Safe-Drivingeducational programs. Through these campus activities carried out by university volunteers, young people can learn practical road safety information and gain first-hand experience in how driving habits affect safety through fun games. People involved in this campaign can also better understand five safe driving habits, including "no drunk driving," "lower the speed," "concentrate on driving," "check before starting the car", and "use a safety belt". To spread the concept of road safety to a broader group of drivers, the project will also be held at driver examination stations with the support of Shanghai Disease Control and Prevention Center, to help new drivers build a sense of safe driving and develop safe driving habits. In addition, a Weibo interactive platform that delivers instant road safety information will also be introduced during this year's Youth Safe-Driving Program.

Youth Safe-Driving Program

Started in 2012 by Continental and Safe Kids Worldwide, the Youth Safe-Driving Program aims to raise young drivers' road safety awareness and promote proper safe driving habits that reduce traffic injuires under the theme "Be a Responsible Young Driver." The first Youth Safe-Driving Program was launched atTongji University and Beijing Youth Politics College from November 2012 to January 2013. With the support of the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this program is also held at driver examination stations throughout four key districts in Shanghai. Approximately 8,900 people were involved in the 2012 Youth Safe-Driving Program, which raised teenagers' safe driving awareness by 55 percent. In 2013, the second year's Youth Safe-Driving Program will be launched in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu in response tothe UN's Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Continental

With sales of €32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 175,000 employees in 46 countries.

Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is the first and only international non-profit organization dedicated solely to preventing unintentional childhood injury. It improves people's attitudes and behaviour and promotes various programs to protect children from unintentional accidents. Safe Kids China is part of the Safe Kids Worldwide network.

distributed by