Kids key to road safety in primary school campaign

Children can make a big difference when it comes to changing people’s attitude towards safety on roads.

Street Smart 7, a safety campaign aimed at young children, will show a series of interactive videos in school lessons demonstrating road safety in an educational and entertaining way, across all primary schools.

“Children are more likely to challenge how we do certain things, so this is a fantastic opportunity to mix fun and education to achieve this much-needed change,” said Konrad Pulé, General Manager at Malta Public Transport.

The initiative is being promoted by Fundación MAPFRE, in collaboration with Malta Public Transport, the Ministry for Education, and the Malta Road Safety Council.

“Fundación MAPFRE embarked on this awareness campaign in Malta in 2013 to promote road safety measures amongst children and young adults, and it has been a great success amongst students in schools all over the island. We are now very excited to launch the 7th edition of this project,” said Javier R. Moreno Gonzales, CEO at MAPFRE Middlesea.

The campaign will be carried out over a period of three years, with this year’s interactive videos focusing on safety issues while being a passenger in a private vehicle, while walking, and while travelling by bus. The videos are aimed at children aged between 5 and 9. However, they can also be enjoyed by younger or older children.

Children will be asked to choose between two different scenarios as we see Mr Safe and his family go through different familiar experiences. With the popular comedy duo Danusan in the principal roles, it will raise awareness among the younger generation about safety on our roads and encourage them to be safety ambassadors when they notice something is wrong.

“Children and students are our genuine change agents and are definitely in favour of a just and better world,” education ministry permanent secretary Dr Francis Fabri.

“Through this awareness campaign, children shall engage in informed and interactive activities whilst enjoying and uplifting their learning experience. The contribution from Fundación MAPFRE for the past nine years and the next three years will indeed support Transport Malta and Malta Public Transport in their educational mission and sustain the educational journey of school children whilst becoming active and responsible citizens.”

 Malta Road Safety Council, Executive Chairperson Pierre Vella stated: “Notwithstanding the pandemic, it was the determination of everyone involved with Fundación MAPFRE that kept this initiative moving forward. The concept is quite innovative, and the scripts and filming were all created and staged locally, giving the concept a local touch.”