A student using the new modern-looking Ferrari pedal cars.
Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar (standing fifth right, front row) flagging off the last round of the Shell Traffic Educational Programme in Sandakan while other officials, including local senior downstream representative for Sabah Shell Malaysia, Ahmad Tirmizi Ali Amat (standing in background, right) look on.
Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar (standing fourth right) presenting the winner’s trophy to the primary school champion, SJK (C) Chi Hwa of Sandakan.
Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar (standing fifth right) presenting the winner’s trophy to the secondary school champion, SMK Elopura II of Sandakan.
SANDAKAN: Students competed with high spirits in the state-level Shell Traffic Educational Programme (STEP), especially the pedal car drivers, after being given the chance to try out the latest addition to the games here – the new modern-looking Ferrari pedal cars.
With safety features like a brake locking device and tyres similar to that of real cars, the Ferrari pedal cars is part of Shell’s initiative to improve the STEP this year.
The games drew to a close here on Saturday, capping off another successful year for the annual programme.
STEP is jointly organised by Shell and partners such as the Sabah Road Safety Council (MKJR), Education Department, local authorities, the police and Road Transport Department, among others.
Twenty primary and secondary schools throughout Sabah took part in the event, with more than 300 students participating in the games.
Competing at the state-level finals after winning their respective district-level STEP games that started back in May, the students, aged between 11 and 14, showed much understanding and dedication at the event, thanks to earlier guidance and tips from their teachers.
“Road safety is a key focus area in our social responsibility programme. Safety is a top priority for Shell and we go to extra lengths to ensure it is preserved in all our activities,” said local senior downstream representative for Sabah Shell Malaysia, Ahmad Tirmizi Ali Amat.
Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, who represented Deputy Chief Minister cum Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the Sabah Road Safety Council chairman, gave away the prizes to the winners.
Ahmad Tirmizi added that Shell constantly finds innovative ways to move more people and goods, safely, cost-effectively and with reduced impact on the environment. Through the “Smarter Mobility” approach Shell introduces smarter products that include more efficient liquid fuels, sustainable biofuels, emerging alternatives like GTL and LNG, and other products like lubricants; develop smarter infrastructure through the efficient mass transit systems and distribution networks to support smarter mobility choices and smarter use whereby Shell provides customers with information and advice to help them make smarter choices and promote good habits.
This includes programmes to promote more efficient driving, and initiatives to improve road safety such as the Shell traffic games.
The Shell traffic games aim to educate children on the importance of road safety through a fun and interactive learning environment within a stimulated road safety park. It is firmly entrenched as a permanent item in the state’s road safety calendar and held in every state in Malaysia.
This year also saw the state-level final being held in Sandakan, outside its traditional venue of Kota Kinabalu in previous years.
SJK(C) Chi Hwa of Sandakan emerged the primary school champions while their district neighbours, SMK Elopura II notched the first place for the secondary school category.