FedEx Express launches driving skills challenge

The awareness campaign will be conducted across Dubai-based universities between March 17 - 25.

More than 2,000 students from five different universities will receive interactive lectures and participate in an exciting simulator experience.

Eligible students will also participate in a driving competition which will focus on cautious driving skills rather than speed. A total of six skilled winners, from both male and female categories, will be appointed as Road Safety Ambassadors.

The universities participating in the programme are Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Women's Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men's Campus, BITS Pilani, American University in Dubai and Manipal University.

"At FedEx, road safety is an important aspect not only in our daily operations, but also for the community we live and work in. Every day, more than 75,000 FedEx vehicles are on the road globally sharing the streets with other motorists and pedestrians," said David Ross, senior vice president, Operations, FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

"The government has implemented numerous road safety initiatives, but it is also important for companies operating in the UAE to play their part in educating the public by sharing best practices. Over the past 40 years, FedEx has continuously improved the way we operate on the ground, and we are committed to sharing these lessons with the youth of the country," he added.

"There is a dire need to educate youth about cultivating safe driving habits and instill the need to remain focused on skill rather than speed. We have tailor-made the programme to give the students a good balance of theory, visual aids and a competition to help us carry on the programme beyond the campus with the help of the Ambassadors, who will be the winners of the FedEx Driving Skills Challenge," said Roshanara Sait, director, Ciel Marketing & Events.

Road Safety specialists will speak to the students about common causes of accidents, statistics, observation skills, psychology of driving, and how to lower the risk profile. The roll-over experience in a receptive simulator will provide additional value by helping the students realize the advantages of wearing seatbelts.

The programme will culminate with the FedEx Driving Skills Challenge competition, which will be held at Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men's Campus on March 25, 2013 with each university nominating a team of 16 members.

The participants will get a taste of the action and exhibit their driving skills at the competition. They will also experience manoeuvres to improve their car handling abilities, work towards improving their driving techniques and understand the concept of using skill over speed. All participants will receive a certification of participation endorsed by Dubai Police, and the six chosen FedEx Driving Skills Challenge winners will receive trophies.