SPEECH BY MR GAN KIM YONG, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT THE 25th ANNUAL SHELL TRAFFIC GAMES (FINALS) ON FRIDAY, 4th NOVEMBER 2005, 10.30 AM AT SUNTEC SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE HALLS 402

SPEECH BY MR GAN KIM YONG, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT THE 25^th ANNUAL SHELL TRAFFIC GAMES (FINALS) ON FRIDAY, 4^th NOVEMBER 2005, 10.30 AM AT SUNTEC SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE HALLS 402 TO 404

Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Goh Liang Kwang

Distinguished Guests

Principals, Teachers and Students

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning

INTRODUCTION

1. It is my pleasure to join you this morning for the finals of the 25^th Annual Shell Traffic Games cum Road Safety Carnival.

Accident Trends involving Young Pedestrians

2. Road safety concerns everyone, and it is a message that bears repeating. From January to September this year, 55 young pedestrians aged 12 years and below were injured in traffic accidents, and two were killed on our roads. In comparison, there were 104 injured and one killed during the same period last year. Although the number of injury cases involving young pedestrians has dropped by about 50%, the number of young pedestrians killed has gone up by one case. Each young life lost is a tragedy for their families and a loss to society. Every life is precious. In order to avoid needless tragedy, we must ensure that we keep up our efforts to educate our young to start practising road safety from an early age.

Importance of Road Safety Education for Children

3. Since its inception in 1981, the Road Safety Community Park has trained about a million students on road safety. Every year, about 65,000 school children undergo road safety training at the Park. This has been instrumental in keeping our traffic accident rates in check.

4. The Shell Traffic Games are a fun and effective way of inculcating road safety awareness in our students. The Ministry of Education and the Traffic Police, in collaboration with our sponsors and partners, will continue in our efforts to enhance road safety education. The message of road safety cannot be over-emphasised, and we aim to build on the good work done by the Traffic Police and our schools.

innovative outreach to young pedestrians

5. I am glad to see that the Traffic Police has gone a step further beyond promoting Road Safety Community Park activities for their Road Safety Outreach programme. Constantly searching for innovative ways to reach out to young pedestrians, the Traffic Police has launched a new children’s video targeting pedestrian safety. Through a cartoon animated story, this video touches on the dos and don’ts of road usage and provides valuable road safety advice for children. Through such methods, children can relate better to the core message of practising road safety.

6. I urge all schools to show this video to their students in order to reinforce the importance of safe and responsible road use. It is crucial that we teach our young to make good road safety behaviour part and parcel of their daily life. These crucial lessons must be taught to our young in a meaningful way so that they learn to abide by the basic rules, such as keeping alert at all times when crossing the road.

PARENTS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE

7. As the Traffic Police continue to search for more ways to reach out to our young ones, we must not forget that parents remain the primary role model for their children. By everyday examples, parents can instil in their young the basics of road safety habits so that they become a way of life. Together with schools, the Traffic Police and other community stakeholders, we can cultivate responsible road use among our children.

8. To deepen parents’ involvement in road safety, this year’s Traffic Games introduced a family unit competition. The competition draws upon active involvement from the Community Development Councils and depends on the enthusiastic participation of parents and other family members. Through these fun and interactive games, we hope that parents will come to play a pivotal role in guiding their children on the proper usage of our roads.

motorists Must Play A PArt

9. As we educate our children on road safety, we, as drivers, must also play our part. I urge all motorists to exercise patience and caution on the roads, as our young ones may be less aware of the potential hazards around. Responsible driving can save lives and reduce the occurrence of road accidents. We cannot take it for granted that all will be well when we are on the road. Complacency can lead to disaster and tragedy. By being more mindful of our road conduct, we will help keep our roads safe.

continued Support from Sponsors

10. The government is committed to ensuring that the message of road safety awareness is ingrained in the younger generation. In our efforts to encourage greater community involvement, the strong support provided by socially responsible corporate partners has been invaluable. We are most appreciative of the Shell Companies in Singapore that have lent their unstinting support these past 25 years. Also deserving of mention are the Comfort Driving Centre, the Bukit Batok Driving Centre and the Singapore Safety Driving Centre for providing trainers at the Road Safety Community Park as well as Fiat, Motorola and the Singapore Kindness Movement for their generous contributions.

11. This event would not have been possible if not for the unwavering support given by these caring organisations. I commend them once again for their continued support in fostering good road behaviour, and hope that such collaborations will continue to sustain the good work among out children.

Conclusion

12. I wish all participants an enjoyable day as you learn about road safety in the Shell Traffic Games Finals.

13. Thank you.