Road awareness

THE Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) launched an improved campaign on road safety awareness last Thursday.
Due to the shocking statistics on road accidents in the country, MVIL has embarked on changing the attitudes of motorists and the general public to reduce the alarming number of road accidents.
Speaking at the launching, deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu said the initiative was well overdue and the Government did not want to see anymore increase in road accidents.
He commended the MVIL for their effort.
Sir Puka said the initiative would also help the Government prepare the country’s transport infrastructure.
Under the slogan “Road safety is not a game” MVIL aims to deliver this awareness initiative through the use of rugby league.
As rugby league is an important part of the PNG culture and a sport that most follow it would help to get the message across.
Managing director of the PMA Communications Group, Paul McCarthy said the medium used through rugby league would be the hero device to reach the nation.
Therefore, awareness campaigns using some of NRL’s superstars and the NRL Footy Show will be the main driver behind this campaign.
Statistics from 2007 had shown that 237 fatalities from accidents in PNG were recorded while 1,210 were non-fatal.
It was stressed that most of the road accidents were alcohol-related, amounting for over 60%.
But the main causes of road fatalities recorded were with the Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs).
With the awareness campaign, it was also revealed that to reduce the number of PMVs related accidents, PMVs will be involved in a competition to keep their vehicle, in tip-top condition with the aim of avoiding  road accidents.
The competition requires PMV drivers or owners to register their vehicles.
However, any PMVs breaking traffic laws or getting into accidents would be disqualified but those that remain would be eligible to enter a draw in August next year for front row tickets to the NRL grand final.