In 1987, as a celebration of its 10th anniversary in the country, Volvo of Brazil launched a long-term road safety awareness program. The only goal was to investigate the government, press, private sector and community to seek answers for a single question: How to increase road safety and decrease the number and severity of the accidents ? The program comprises four permanent activities: (1) a Technical Panel whose membership is drawn both from government agencies and private sector, meets at regular intervals to assess road safety issues and formulates proposals; (2) a Road Safety Bulletin, published and circulated free of charge to all organizations and individuals that are active in this field; (3) Road Safety Symposia, held several times a year in different parts of the country to provide information and encouragement at local or regional level; (4) Road Safety Award, competed for once a year, in six categories; professional drivers, journalists, companies, state governments, municipal governments and the general public. Many companies have since joined Volvo in sponsoring road safety awareness events. Companies have realised that it is in their own interest to conduct road safety campaigns. They gain from sustaining fewer losses (employees killed or injured, damages to vehicles and goods), they enhance their institutional image as community-minded companies and some of them find a new source of sales income in safety-related products. This is a program we feel is particularly appropriate for underdeveloped or developing countries, since much can be achieved with a relatively modest investment.
Samenvatting