BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The annual World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) was celebrated yesterday on the theme “ICT’s and Improving Road Safety.”, Borneo Bulletin reported.
The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Communications. Other attendees members of the Legislative Council, permanent secretaries, ambassadors and high commissioners, deputy permanent secretaries from various ministries and departments, and senior officials from various organisations.
This event was hosted by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), supported by Ministry of Communications and Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council. The event partners were Telekom Brunei Berhad, DST Communications Sdn Bhd, B-Mobile Communications Sdn Bhd and Takaful Brunei Am.
An international speaker from International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Martin Adolph, spoke on ‘The Role of ICTs and Road Safety implications and Driver Distraction and Intelligent Transport Systems’. Other topics discussed included ‘What to do when your car breaks down?’ presented by Haji Mahmud bin Haji Idris from Megamas Training Sdn Bhd, which provided a more practical approach on what drivers can do when they get into the situation.
AITI’s Chief Executive Office Haji Yahkup bin Hj Menudin said ICT is an enabler in our daily lives and technologies like smart phones and mobile data services help us stay connected while on the move. However, we must be mindful when using these technologies responsibly and with caution as far as road safety is concerned.
‘As such, for the safety of drivers and pedestrians, we must continue to emphasise responsible use of technologies and minimise driver distraction activities while on the move.
Today’s event will drive home this message and create more public awareness on this aspect,” he said.
“On the other hand, we must harness the use of ICT in intelligent transport system which can also minimise driver related accidents. A variety of “driver assistance” technologies are appearing on new cars, which will not only take a lot of the stress out of driving in traffic but also prevent many accidents,” he added.
He said a variety of “driver assistance” technologies are appearing on new cars, which will not only take a lot of the stress out of driving in traffic but also prevent many accidents. More and more new cars can reverse-park, read traffic signs, maintain a safe distance in steady traffic and brake automatically to avoid crashes. Some car makers are promising ICT technologies that detect pedestrians and cyclists, again helping the driver and stopping the vehicle before it hits them.
Google has been testing the self-driving car and has claimed that their cars are better drivers than human. Indeed, ICT has a role to play in road safety.
During the forum, experts and relevant stakeholders shared information to the public on the latest ICT development and its contribution towards improving road safety.
Road safety videos were launched courtesy of Takaful Brunei Am to increase public awareness on the dangers of using mobile phone while driving. The launching included two mascots, ‘Awang Safe’ and ‘Dayang Salmi’, inspired by the road safety video launched last year from a collaboration project between AITI and Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council and produced by Ambuyart Animations.
The forum consisted of presentations and panel discussions by local and international speakers on the topics related to the theme.
An exhibition showcased the current and upcoming ICT technologies and their contribution towards improving road safety. The exhibitors included ICT companies, car dealers and telecommunication.