Bandar Seri Begawan - Targeting children for campaigns that teach them how to stay safe on roads is an important step towards reducing road fatality rates in the country.

As part of this initiative, the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Insurance Islam TAIB, yesterday launched a Road Safety Pledge Programme at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School (SUAMPRIPAD).

The chief guest at the event was Insurans Islam TAIB Marketing Manager Hj Abd Majid bin Hj Hidup.

Also in attendance were SUAMPRIPAD's Deputy Principal (Academic), Ustazah Sarimah binti Ahmad, senior officers and teachers.

The event began with a parade around the school compound by the school's Red Crescent Unit followed by a talk on the Road Safety Pledge delivered by a representative of BDRCS, Capt (RC) Aneta Yusuf.

She said that schools can equip students to become responsible and knowledgeable drivers in the future by teaching them the right culture and values.

She reminded road users to adhere to traffic rules and regulations and follow the five fundamental rules of road safety, namely, wearing seat belts, observing the speed limit and not using mobile phones while driving, using pedestrian walkways and avoid tailgating.

More importantly, those who made road safety pledges should do their part in increasing road safety awareness by reminding friends, parents or relatives to drive or use the road in responsible ways.

After the talk, the event followed with a mass recitation of the Road Safety Pledge led by the Red Crescent Society and a presentation of banners and pledge cards to the school by the chief guest.

Students then signed their pledge cards while teachers registered their pledges online at www.bruneiredcrescent.com/roadsafetypledge/

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin