Road safety progammes prove beneficial to students

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Pupils who underwent road safety programmes in school have been found to be 30% more alert when it comes to basic road safety.
This finding is based on a pilot scheme held in 25 schools in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, last year.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre director Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi expects a similar programme, to be introduced in schools nationwide next year, to have similar results.
“Researchers found there was a big difference in the knowledge and awareness of basic road safety between those who underwent the programme and those who didn’t,” he said.
“Pupils in Pasir Mas were more savvy than those in Tanah Merah.”
The programme, which involved 306 teachers, was carried out in two phases.
In phase one from March to June, teachers received training, while phase two between June and November involved the pupils.
The results were encouraging, and a task force had been formed to review the Pasir Mas syllabus for schools next year, said Dr Radin Umar, who heads the 40-member task force of representatives from UPM, the Transport Ministry, teachers and education officials.
“In the next six months, the task force will make recommendations on how the existing syllabus can suit the school curriculum,” he added.