Shockwave experience for 450 students: Promoting road safety awareness
Four hundred and fifty male and female students learned about the most important basic rules that contribute to raising awareness of traffic safetythrough an innovative interactive awareness program that combined theoretical education with practical experience. This prominent event was organized by the Saudi Society for Traffic Safety at the College of Engineering, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, in fruitful cooperation with the Deanship of the Preparatory Year and the Deanship of Student Affairs. The activities, launched under the slogan "Towards Safe Driving and a University Community Free of Traffic Accidents," continued for three days filled with purposeful activities.
The Kingdom's ongoing efforts to promote traffic safety awareness
This initiative comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing radical transformations in the transportation and road safety sector, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes the preservation of lives and property. Historically, the region has suffered from high rates of traffic accidents. However, concerted governmental and community efforts in recent years, including the implementation of strict traffic regulations and the launch of ongoing awareness campaigns, have significantly contributed to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries. Focusing on youth and students is a crucial strategic step, as they represent the largest segment of society and are among the most frequent new users of vehicles.
Live experiences and realistic simulations of traffic accidents
The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to experience realistic simulations of collisions and rollovers using seat belts, aiming to reinforce their importance while driving and raise awareness of the dangers of neglecting them. The event also included simplified explanations of proper road behavior, the impact of adhering to traffic regulations in reducing accidents, and a review of the risks of speeding and distracted driving.
The organizers explained that the program includes several interactive activities, most notably a seatbelt simulator that allows participants to experience a low-speed (20 km/h) collision while wearing a seatbelt, reinforcing their understanding of the importance of safety. It also includes a "rollover car" experience, which simulates a vehicle flipping over in 360 degrees, providing a realistic depiction of one of the most dangerous types of accidents. They added that the program also features electronic driving simulators, enabling novice drivers to experience driving in various weather conditions, such as rain and dust storms.
The expected impact of building a traffic-aware generation
The impact of such interactive programs extends beyond the local campus, leaving a positive mark at the national and regional levels. By graduating a generation with a strong traffic safety culture, the Kingdom contributes to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals, specifically the Decade of Action for Road Safety supported by the World Health Organization. Instilling these values in students positively influences their future behavior, thus reducing the economic and health burdens resulting from traffic accidents at the national and societal levels.
Realistic awareness and shared social responsibility
For his part, Dr. Abdulhameed Al-Muajjal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Society for Traffic Safety, affirmed that awareness programs are among the important initiatives implemented regularly, especially for preparatory year students, given that this is the initial stage of their practical experience with driving. He noted that the program also includes awareness lectures, a competition to assess their level of traffic knowledge, and a blood donation drive to support accident victims.
The program was attended by approximately 300 male and 150 female students, a strong indication of the growing interest in safety awareness. Several participants confirmed that the interactive experiences changed their perspectives, revealing the dangers of neglecting to wear a seatbelt, even at low speeds, and emphasizing that it represents the first line of defense in reducing injuries and protecting lives and property.
