‘Road safety – it’s not a game’

ENSURING road safety on Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) is everyone’s responsibility, starting from the owner down to the public, managing director of Motor Vehicle Insurance Ltd (MVIL), Dr John Mua, said yesterday.
Dr Mua was speaking at the launch of the nationwide PMV drivers’ road safety campaign to promote responsible driving and passenger safety.
This initiative for drivers was announced last November in conjunction with National Rugby League of Australia (NRL) stars Paul Aiton from the Cronulla Sharks, St George Illawarra Dragons star Neville Costigan and PMA Communications Group.
The big message behind the MVIL-led and NRL supported competition is “Road Safety – It’s not a game”. Any PMV driver can enter given they have a current class 6 PMV driver’s licence.
The closing date for PMV drivers’ registration is Feb 26 while the competition proper begins on March 1 and ends on Aug 31.
The prize is for 15 eligible drivers to win a trip to the NRL grand final in Sydney, and drivers must not incur any driving infringement from March to August.
Dr Mua said the competition is open to any PMV driver and while registration is free, it is a way of encouraging drivers to be educated about the importance of safety for their passengers, pedestrians and their commuters.
Meanwhile, PMA Communications rep Paul McCarthy said that apart from the PMV drivers’ competition, a number of programmes are being undertaken together with MVIL to bring forward the road safety message to the community at large, including awareness at schools.
“We aim to help reduce the number of deaths in PNG related to road accidents,” Mr McCarthy said.
He urged PMV drivers to enter the competition so that they could get a chance to see the 2010 NRL grand final in Sydney.
In competing, they have to follow every road safety rule throughout the year  to be eligible for the final draw.  
Yesterday, five PMV drivers from the NCD registered in the competition.