Brian Bilal Mwebaze steps in as interim regional coordinator for Africa

Brian Bilal Mwebaze steps in as interim regional coordinator for Africa

by | Dec 13, 2023 | News & Blog

Recently our Regional Coordinator for Anglophone Africa Mr Raymond Obouyo informed us that he was to retire from his post on health grounds. We thank Raymond for all his great work at YOURS that he did in his short period in his role and we continue to be in touch with him. In the interim, we have appointed YOURS well known advocate Mr Brian Bilal Mwebaze.

Mr Brian Bilal Mwebaze is YOURS’ regular columinst on road safety issues in Africa and also a strong advocate for the youth and road safety cause around the world. Brian has worked closely with all regional coordinators in both cohorts and so is the perfect choice to step in as interim regional coordinator for Anglophone Africa on the resignation of Raymond Obouyo.

This means that for all information relating to African issues in Anglophone Countries (English Speaking), Brian will be the first point of call as well as an authority on youth and road safety issues in Africa as a whole.

The CORE Group 2014-2016 is made up of 10 youth road safety leaders from around the world who act as Coordinators of the Regions (CORE).

They represent every region of the world and work to be closer to young people on the ground, to offer regional support, resources, opportunities and are integral in YOURS’ work to develop youth capacities in road safety. The CORE Group bolsters our Global Youth Network for Road Safety through the appointment of Coordinators of the Regions from around the world. The CORE Group will be YOURS’ first point of call for their respective regions in will help to expand the network as well as offer specialised support to the regions with regards to road safety issues.

Brian extends his role at YOURS. Read his columns here.

The represent the following world regions:

  1. African Region: Anglophone
  2. African Region: Francophone
  3. Caribbean Region
  4. Eastern Mediterranean Region
  5. European Region
  6. North American Region
  7. Russian Region
  8. South American Region
  9. South East Asian Region
  10. Western Pacific Region

The CORE group explain their roles and grouped them into three key areas of focus:

  1. The YOURS Global Youth Network for Road Safety: ‘To improve what we currently have’- to expand, share more information about youth and road safety projects and create a thriving quality network.

  2. Coordination and Guidance: ‘To improve what we currently do’- of youth and road safety initiatives in every region consisting of coordinating and guiding activities, YOURS capacity development programs and creating regional information hubs on youth and road safety activities.

  3. Advocacy and Promotion – ‘To be heard and seen more’ – for YOURS to have a known and heard network worldwide and to reach out to the media more frequently.

Can a road safety sticker really save lives? Zusha! and USAID

Can a road safety sticker really save lives? Zusha! and USAID

by | Dec 13, 2023 | News & Blog

What can a 12 x 3 inch sticker do to tackle road accidents in Kenya? As Georgetown University found out, apparently a lot! USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) just announced a $3 million grant at Tech Con 2014to scale Georgetown’s Zusha! project across Kenya and East Africa.

Development Innovation Ventures at USAID is an open competition that finds, tests, and scales breakthrough solutions to the world’s most intractable development challenges. DIV’s model begins by seeking innovative ideas from anyone, anywhere. It then tests the most promising ideas to gather evidence of their impacts and cost-effectiveness relative to traditional approaches, and helps scale those solutions that are proven successful to sustainably reach millions of people without long-term DIV support.

On November 10, 2014, DIV will announce a $3 million dollar, Stage 3 award to researchers from the Georgetown University Initiative on Innovation, Development, and Evaluation (gui²de) for their Zusha! project. Zusha! is DIV’s second-ever Stage 3 award and its first award be successfully transitioned through DIV’s innovation pipeline from a pilot grant to be scaled to reach millions of people.

The grant goes to Billy Jack, director of undergraduate studies in the economics department, and James Habyarimana, associate professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy, who co-founded and co-direct the Georgetown University Initiative on Innovation, Development and Evaluation, or gui2de.

“We are extremely grateful to our partners at USAID for their continued support of our research,” said Habyarimana. “We hope this inexpensive and effective intervention has a continued significant impact on road safety in East Africa.”

YOURS commends USAID’s focus on Kenya especially since our continued focus on developing the capaicity of Kenyan youth. Read more here.

The grant from USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) supports the third phase of the Zusha! study in Kenya, and expands the project to three other countries ­–  Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Zusha! represents the first time a project funded by DIV has successfully transitioned from being a pilot program to reaching millions of people. DIV is an open competition supporting breakthrough solutions to the world’s most intractable development challenges.
In sub-Saharan Africa, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for children and young adults 15 to 29 and the second leading cause of death for children 5 to 14. Many of these deaths occur in minibuses or matatus, the primary mode of transportation in the region. The accidents cost the local economy billions of dollars a year.

Read more about USAID’s work here.

Brian’s Column: Reporting back from 4th Annual Road Safety Conference

Brian’s Column: Reporting back from 4th Annual Road Safety Conference

by | Dec 13, 2023 | News & Blog

As you are aware, one of the core activities of YOURS is Advocacy and Awareness where we strive to be’ the authority’ of Youth and Road Safety matters on a global and regional level while inspiring, connecting and uniting young people and youth-led NGO’s active in the road safety field around the world to work together and easily share information and experiences. Our regular columnist Mr. Brian Bilal Kanaahe Mwebaze from Uganda reports back from a successful mission to Namibia focusing on youth and road safety-opportunities presented by the social media era. Read on!

Booom! Welcome to the November article! You wont believe it! Will you? It’s already nearly a month to Christmas, yes, that’s right! Jesus is gonna be born (again) and yes, an undisputed work/study holiday break! Hoping every one from all corners of the globe is 110% ready and hungry, let’s get rollin.

You will be happy to note that atleast 48 organisations/institutions from 50 out of 58 countries in Africa have already registered to celebrate the World Day of Remembrance of Victims of Road Traffic Crashes on 16th Nov 2014. Whatcha you waiting for? Keep your eyes glued to http://worlddayofremembrance.org/ for more details.

Wait, we were talking about Namibia right? Yes…ok!

(Left)Brian doing Live TV Interview with NBC TV crew and (right) with other international and national speakers responding to questions from the audience after the presentations.

It’s not common to write to organizers of such big functions as the 4th Annual Road Safety Conference (ARSC) 27-29 October 2014 at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort to respond when you email them about the need for ‘youthfulness’ in such functions. I was kinda surprised to receive an acceptance letter from the Secretary of Namibia Road Safety Council, Mr Tendekule as an international speaker on Opportunites presented by social media for the African Young Person & Road Safety! Mr. Ambrosius Tierspoor whom I met during the GRSP Africa Seminar in August 2014 helped in the follow up. Now, you know again why YOURS emphasizes on networking. (clears throat)

The 4th ARS Conference organised under the theme Building common understanding towards the implementation of the Safe System Approach in Namibia, had speakers focusing on the importance of Road Safety Awareness, the causes of problems on the road and ways in which these issues can be solved. It aimed to bring together road and transport industry professionals across Africa and the rest of the World. The Conference generally attracted a wide range of delegates including: Government road safety practitioners and Engineers, Policy-makers, Local government professionals, Academics in road transport and Consultants as well as Road contractors. Needless to say, young people.

Prime Minister, Dr. Hage Geingob, was the key note speaker along with the Mayor of Windhoek, Agnes Kafula, who welcomed the participants to the three day event. Eliphas Owos-oab, a road safety expert, spoke on the effects of withdrawn cases on the morale of traffic law enforcers, and possible remedies for these issues. He ensured that great efforts did exist to ensure road safety, and that it was the state’s obligation to administer justice. “The Namibian Government is serious about road safety.” He said, adding that the facilities, human resources and funding were there, but many factors influenced the behaviour of road users, such as system backlogs, and possible misappropriation of funds. This backlog (sadly)nincluded about 50 000 pending warrants of arrest since 2008 and about 1500 tickets issued daily. Other speakers of the conference, included head of City Police Chief, Abraham Kanime, Ambrosius Tierspoor and international speaker Martin Small, a global road expert and consultant, spoke about the integration of road safety education in lower primary, traffic law enforcement in the city, vehicle safety and road engineering interventions.

(left Brian with Liana-the Namibian Road Safety Council Data Collection Officer. (right) Light moment with Johannes Namibian Road Safety Council Youth Officer after a meeting on how to establish a YOURS-like youth network in Namibia

When it came to opportunities presented by social media for an African young person, yours truly began the presentation with a compulsory audience dance of that ‘I love you Africa Song’ followed by quick introductions characterized by insightful photos and cartoons to Social Media to a lay person, The language of social media amongst young people in Africa, Young people and social media statistics, Milestones in YOUth participation in road safety Globally Regionally Nationally. Most of the highlighted opportunities circumnavigated around:

 

  • Mobilizing peers for #RoadSafetyThursday 
  • Blogging on Road Safety: (Blogosphere) with examples from Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria
  • ‘Selfies’ aimed at road safety- with examples from Egypt and Gambia
  • ‘Road Safety Facebook’ groups instead of ‘Party’ groups’ with examples from Zambia
  • Activate EMS Services, with examples from  Kenya Red Cross #IVolunteers
  • Download the right things: Informative and action oriented literature: YOURS Action Kit
  • Remember our fallen colleagues
  • Attend free webinars over skype
  • Working with Mass Media 

You wont believe it until you download the presentation here: http://publichealthourconcern.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/download-african-youth-network-on-road-safety-presentation-at-the-4th-annual-road-safety-conference-october-2014-namibia/

The conference identifed ways in which the national strategy, the Namibian Chapter of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 can be aligned to the Safe System Approach. Very importantly, the conference allowed for audience feedback, as comprehensive public consultation is important and should happen before any decisions are taken. Some comments that came from the audience were who was to be blamed for the way taxi drivers behaved on the roads, the problems with overloading, the need for a traffic court, the criteria used to choose lower primary teachers for road safety, and how young people can play an active role.

“While the #MissionToNamibia was to ensure that voices of young people at a country regional and global level are felt by key decision makers, the mission will not be certified ‘successful’ until there is a sustainable, recognized youth network of young people for road safety in Namibia. This will be addressed by the forthcoming call for National Road Safety Youth Champions-Oooops! I’ve just let the cat out of the bag. Stay tuned for this too then!”

 

Stay safe!
Brian

Twitter: @BrianBilalK1

 Credits: 

  • Road Safety YOUth Activists from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Niger, Togo, Gambia, Egypt & DRC who participated in a consultative online meeting 18th Oct 2014
  • The Villager- Namibian Newspaper for the mentions
  • NBC TV- for the Interview and live streaming
  • Enos Mwakondage- for the photography
YOURS at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum!

YOURS at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum!

by | Dec 13, 2023 | News & Blog

With great pleasure YOURS will be joining the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Chengdu, China next week. Since 1998 our Founding Member Michelin organizes the Challenge Bibendum and been bringing together political, industry, scientific, and media representatives to discuss the challenges of and solutions for sustainable road mobility. Approximately more than 6000 people will visit the event.

 

The intention of the Challenge Bibendum is to show that progress really is being made in mobility and the future is bright for road transportation that benefits society. Yes, there is a gap between what exists today, the challenges we face (in terms of energy, the environment, safety, and widespread access to effective mobility), and the slowness of the decision-making processes around the world.  But this gap can and must be closed! 

YOURS will be part of the Together, Connected for Road Safety booth. We will also join the working group session where the report on Connected Mobility will be presented to the wider public. 

16 November: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

16 November: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

by | Dec 13, 2023 | News & Blog

This year the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is commemorated on Sunday 16 November. This day we remember the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads. Together with their families and many others also affected, as well as reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disaster. Join us.

For the 21st time since 1993, the Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims will be remembered at a global level, and have reached the 10th Anniversary since being recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2005, and supported by the World Health Organization.

For years this Remembrance Day was mainly observed in Europe but as it is now listed as an international activity during the Global Decade of Action for Road Safety, celebrations are held on every continent, in particular in those fast developing countries that today bear the bulk of road deaths and injuries.

Find out how you can join on the official web site: http://worlddayofremembrance.org/. You can see all global activities by clicking here, in case you would like to attend.

Theme 2014

This years’ theme is: “Speed Kils, Design out Speeding”. This is the poster that supports the campaign:

Why a World Day of Remembrance?

 

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is observed on the third Sunday of November each year by an increasing number of countries on every continent around the world. This day is dedicated to remembering the many millions killed or injured in road crashes and their families and communities, as well as to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals who daily deal with the traumatic aftermath of road death and injury.

Why is there a need for this day?

 

Road deaths and injuries are sudden, violent, traumatic events, the impact of which is long-lasting, often permanent. Each year, millions of newly injured and bereaved people from every corner of the world are added to the countless millions already suffering as the result of a road crash.
The burden of grief and distress experienced by this huge number of people is all the greater because many of the victims are young, because many of the crashes could and should have been prevented and because the response to road death and injury and to victims and families is often inadequate, unsympathetic, and inappropriate to the loss of life or quality of life.
This special Remembrance Day is intended to respond to the great need of road crash victims for public recognition of their loss and suffering (see Messages & Thoughts from victims). 
This day has also become an important tool for governments and all those whose work involves crash prevention or response to the aftermath, since it offers the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road deaths and injuries and the urgent need for concerted action to stop the carnage.
The Honest Truth road safety campaign targets youth in UK

The Honest Truth road safety campaign targets youth in UK

by | Dec 13, 2023 | News & Blog

A safety campaign that uses animals to symbolise poor driving habits is set to be rolled out across Essex in the United Kingdom to reduce crashes caused by young or inexperienced drivers. The award-winning Honest Truth campaign uses eye-catching images of young people with the heads of animals such as cheetahs and parrots.

The cheetah is used to identify a speeding driver, the parrot someone using their mobile phone and a bulldog identifies a drink driver. Drug users are seen as chameleons, a driver with no insurance is shown as an ass and show-offs are peacocks.Those who fail to wear seat belts are shown as a rhino – to show how a passenger without a seat belt can be thrown around in a crashing car with the same effect as a charging rhinoceros.

The campaign, which will be launched later this month, relies on linking crucial messages to animals to remind young people of the dangers they could face.Driving instructors will be encouraged to use prompt cards with the images of the animals to drive home crucial messages appropriate to each individual learner driver during their lessons.

The Honest Truth catchline of the campaign asks all drivers to study the images and to identify if their own driving behaviour falls into any of the dangerous categories.The campaign was developed in South Devon after a road crash in which three young people aged nine, 17 and 19 died.

The campaign has so far proved to be a huge success and won numerous national awards and is being adopted by partnerships across the UK.On average, a young person is killed on UK roads every 18 hours, while another suffers a serious injury every 90 minutes.In Essex a young person is killed, on average, every 28 days, while another suffers a serious injury every 36 hours.On average, each year in Essex, 98 collisions involve young car drivers. Of these young drivers, four are killed and a further 65 seriously injured.

However, in 40 of these collisions, while the young driver is not injured, their actions were a contributory factor in the deaths of four other road users and in serious injury to a further 47.

Essex Police will be leading the campaign for the Essex Casualty Reduction Board and will be working closely with driving instructors, the fire and rescue service and the road safety teams in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “There are still too many people being killed or seriously injured on our roads, and we must do everything in our power to address this.

“I welcome the introduction of the Honest Truth campaign to Essex, and I hope the initiative raises driver awareness as successfully as it did in Devon.“We must continue to use innovative means to remind everyone of our responsibility to drive safely and responsibly on the roads of our county.”

Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, Cllr Rodney Bass said: “It is important to engage young people to ensure they drive safely.

“The partnership wants to drive these messages home before these young people take to the roads on their own, or with friends.

“This campaign presents a novel opportunity to promote safety to young drivers, in a memorable way.” 

Essex Casualty Reduction Board is holding seminars in Chelmsford on October 27 and 28 to launch the campaign and issue free resources to approved driving instructors across the county.