| Abdul Hakiim Yakof |
BRUNEI Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM) recently started its ‘Can You See Us’ campaign in a roadshow at the Brunei LNG Headquarters in Lumut to create awareness among motorists on the challenges faced by drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV).
The campaign, held in conjunction with Global Shell Safety Day and the nationwide National Family Day celebrations, was launched last year, with BSM paying visits to sixth form centres in the country with their rigid tankers.
Talking about the campaign, Huwaida Moksin, the campaign’s project lead, said, “What we are trying to say is that drivers cannot see everything. Blind spots exist and are wider on bigger vehicles. From this campaign, we would like to educate the public on where our drivers’ blind spots are and the need to make themselves visible on the roads by avoiding the blind spot areas.
“Let the drivers see you, so that you along with the drivers of the heavy vehicles can be safe. This is the goal of the ‘Can You See Us’ campaign, which will continue at selected schools in the near future.”
In an interview at the roadshow, Managing Director of BSM Pengiran Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha noted that the campaign was initiated by BSM after being alarmed by statistics of previous moving vehicle incidents.
Many of the incidents were those caused by blind spot issues leading to accidents at slow traffic areas, where motorists are tempted to overtake the heavy vehicles and usually fail to keep a safe distance from them.
“This is not only applicable for BSM tankers but also any heavy vehicles such as trailers and heavy lorries. In light of the increase in recreational activities on the roads, joggers and cyclists should also make themselves as visible as possible and maintain a safe distance from heavy goods vehicles,” he said.
Pengiran Shamhary added that several years ago, 11 or 12 accidents involving heavy vehicles were reported every year, but after BSM began spreading awareness on the problem, the number of incidents dropped.
“Even though we managed to contribute in reducing the number of such incidents, we didn’t stop with our safety awareness efforts. We are still continuing with our safety campaigns. Our drivers can only do so much, and we want others who share the roads to also know its dangers and maintain safe distances from the heavy vehicles,” he said.
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