Whether we love them or hate them, there is no denying the power of the celebrity when getting a public message across. While most celebrities choose to stick away from pro-bono or public interest work, other embrace social action and use their influence in the interest of society. Since the Decade of Action for Road Safety launched in May last year, numerous celebrities have pledged for road safety, here we take a look at a few of them.
There is no doubt that many young people are besotted by their favourite celebrities. Be they music stars, sports personalities, actors, TV stars or local heros, the so called ‘celebrity’ holds a lot of responsibility while eyes are fixed on them both on and off the screen. More so, many celebrities who share a destructive message have often been condemned for creating a generation of youth who are losing values, care less about each other and focus more on their own personal interests first but what about those celebrities that work with young people for positive outcomes?
From poverty to injustice, famous people have put their face to pressing social issues for years but more recently, famous faces have started to pledge for global road safety giving the cause international attentional and visibility. Since the Decade of Action launched in May 2011, numerous famous personalities have backed the cause and supported the global movement for road safety.
More recently England’s football World Cup Star and decorated football pundit Gary Lineker and internationally renowed football club Manchester United backed road safety in London. (via FIA Foundation)
“As any parent will know, there are real concerns and worries attached to being a mum or dad when your son or daughter heads out on those first few solo journeys. Every one of us has the potential to influence the way a young person will drive. It’s our shared responsibility to be good role models and take driving as seriously as we hope they will” – Gary Lineker
Political leaders have also supported the Decade, Ban Ki Moon Secretary General of the United Nations (Left) and David Cameron, Prime Minister of the UK (right) supports the Decade with Lewis Hamilton F1 Champion.
Music star Bob Geldof and Sebastian Vettel F1 Champion wear the Decade tag.
Asafa Powell Jamaica Sprinter and F1 Champion Jenson Button wear the Decade tag.
So how can celebrities further the youth and road safety cause? Endorsements from public figures is just one of the many routes that the well-known household names can raise awareness to, but this is often where the buck stops. Endorsements coupled with robust road safety messages and road safety training alongside appropriate laws, enforcement and infrastructure will help us win the battle against road deaths and create a sustainable solution to the road safety crisis facing young people.
So if you are hoping that Rihanna, Jay-Z, Justin Bieber or your all-time hero would back road safety, you should think long and hard about the messages they share in their day-to-day life. Afterall, celebrities, like us are just people. A star that lives the rock and roll lifestyle could break the road safety message you worked so long to get endorsed so a word of caution and restraint is necessary. If we wish to create impact through these endorsements, ensure that you choose appropriate figureheads as have the leaders behind the Decade of Action awareness team.
Nevertheless, we believe the real heroes are the young people who champion road safety everyday!
What do you think? Who would you like to see support road safety? Let us know at info@youthforroadsafety.org
See other famous endorsements: