Vivo Energy Ghana, the exclusive marketers, and distributors of Shell branded products and services in partnership with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is contributing to addressing the challenge of road safety with the ‘Stop, Think & Drive’ campaign. Dubbed: “Driving Ghana Safe a collective responsibility,” the company is facilitating this training together with its transporters, S.O Frimpong, J. K. Horgle, and J. K. Ahiadome Transport Company Limited.
Stop, Think & Drive;
With a vision of becoming Africa’s most respected energy business, Vivo Energy has relentlessly gone beyond its distribution business to play its role as a socially responsible company. Operating 238 retail stations across the country, the company has yet again proven its thought leadership with the introduction of its ‘Stop, Think & Drive’ National Road Safety Campaign.
The campaign aims to raise road safety awareness among high-risk commercial drivers and motorcycle riders to provide improved and safer transport services to commuters. Over thirty defensive driving training sessions are to be held for commercial drivers and motorcycle riders across Greater Accra, Ashanti, and the Western regions.
Defensive driving is a particular style of road driving that makes use of various techniques and tactics to help drivers stay safe and keep away from problems caused by other road users or poor weather conditions. Participants under the campaign will be accordingly taken through a comprehensive defensive driving training module.
Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ben Hassan Ouattara, at the launch of the campaign noted the training is to increase drivers’ risk awareness, promote attitude change and increase the competence of beneficiary drivers and reduce carnage on roads. “As an energy company and fuel distributor, we recognize that the government cannot succeed in reducing carnages on our roads if they act alone.
It is for this reason that Vivo Energy Ghana in partnership with its transporters continues to demonstrate its long-term commitment to the protection of lives through the implementation of road safety initiatives with support from the National Road Safety Authority,” notes Mr. Ouattara.
Director-General of the National Road Safety Commission, Ing. May Obiri-Yeboah, emphasizing the importance and purpose of the campaign, stressed that though the skill to drive is important, the consciousness to realize that safety matters despite road conditions and actions of others is paramount.
While she admitted to the existential challenge of poor road networks and their drawbacks to safe driving, attitudes of commercial drivers to these difficulties, she noted, should not be one of indiscipline, but of protectiveness and safety always.