SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AT THE 24TH ANNUAL SHELL TRAFFIC GAMES FINALS ON FRIDAY, 12TH NOVEMBER 2004 10.30 AM AT SINGAPORE EXPO HALL 6

Commissioner of Police, Mr Khoo Boon Hui,
Distinguished Sponsors,
Principals, Teachers and Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

1.      I am pleased to be here with you today at the launch of Road Safety Carnival cum 24th Annual Shell Traffic Games organised by the Traffic Police.

Current Accident Trend Involving Young Pedestrians

2.      The importance of road safety is a perennial message which must be reinforced time and time again. From January to June this year, 63 pedestrians aged 12 years and below were injured in traffic accidents and one was killed on our roads. In comparison, there were 54 injured and 3 killed in the same period last year. So although the number of fatal accidents involving young pedestrians has dropped, the number of young pedestrians injured on our roads has increased. We must therefore keep up our efforts to educate our young about the importance of road safety.  

Importance of Road Safety Education for Students

3.      The Shell Traffic Games has over the years, been recognized as a fun and effective way of inculcating road safety awareness among our younger generation. More than a million students and members of our community have benefited from their training at the Road Safety Community Park.

4.      Other than the Shell Traffic Games, Traffic Police have also continually sought innovative ways to convey road safety messages to the students. One example is the Annual Road Safety Song Competition. The high standards in this year’s song competition finals have shown that our students are learning about the importance of road safety in a fun and creative way.

Road Safety – Everyone has a Role to Play

5.      For more than two decades, the Ministry of Education has also forged a strong partnership with the Traffic Police to ensure that road safety habits are inculcated from an early age. However, the efforts of the Ministry of Education and the Traffic Police alone are not enough. We need the support from our community in educating the young. Many road traffic accidents can be avoided if our young practise road safety habits. I am thus glad to know that many families are participating in the Community Shell Traffic Games this year to learn about road safety through fun and games.

6.      I would also like to take this opportunity to urge all motorists to exercise a little patience and caution on the roads. Children may not always be aware of potential dangers on our roads. As motorists, we can make a difference to road safety if all of us are patient and alert. For instance, we should slow down when approaching a school zone and be ready to stop should any student dash across the road suddenly. As parents too, we can serve as important role models for our children by practising good road safety habits.

7.      Support from private organisations also make a significant difference. To this end, Shell Companies in Singapore have provided unwavering support in bringing the road safety message to our students. This year, Volvo has also provided a wide range of road safety materials on seat belt and child safety to educate our community. Without strong support from such socially responsible corporate partners, bringing across the message of road safety to the public would be an uphill task.

Conclusion

8.      The Ministry of Education and the Traffic Police, supported by our sponsors and partners, will continue to cultivate good road safety habits among our young pedestrians.  I would like to thank all parents, principals and teachers who have supported us in our efforts to enhance road safety education. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Shell Companies in Singapore for their strong support for more than two decades and Volvo for joining us in this community event.

9.      With this, I wish the participants the best of luck in the Shell Traffic Games; I trust that while you are having fun, you are also busy learning about road safety.

10.     Thank you.