[Chonburi] (February 23, 2023) – With continuous reinforcement of Bridgestone’s vision;
a sustainable solutions company contributing to driving road safety to young generations and making everyone’s journey safe, Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd.,
in collaboration with Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP Foundation) and local partners in Chonburi province, held the “The 2^nd Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project”.  This year, Thai Bridgestone emphasized building a powerful network of the 1^st and 2^nd of Bridgestone’s Youth Champions to advocate for sustainable road safety and become role models in their communities.  Additionally, we handed over road modifications to Bansuan Jananusorn School in Chonburi province, the pilot school in 2023, by improving the school zone for safer mobility. 

This year, Thai Bridgestone has continued to expand the “Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project” for two consecutive years by selecting and collaborating with four schools in four provinces across the country to promote safe road behaviors among students and teachers, which are Northern region- Yupparaj Wittayalai School, Chiang Mai province, Eastern region- Bansuan Jananusorn School, Chonburi province, Northeastern region – Triamudomsuksa Pattanakarn Ubon Ratchathani School, Ubon Ratchathani province and Southern region – Suratthani 2 School, Suratthani province. Altogether, 200 students and 40 teachers from these schools participated in the project, with 8 students from the 4 schools selected as the 2nd Bridgestone’s Youth Champions, as the role models to advocate road safety in their schools. Furthermore, we emphasized on Bridgestone's Youth Champions by building a powerful network of the 1st generation and the 2nd generation to advocate for sustainable road safety while tangibly solving the problems and cultivating road safety awareness in their schools and communities.

Mr. Keiji Chuma, Managing Director of Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd., said, “From a successful model of the 1^st Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project at Kathu Wittaya School, Phuket province, I would like to thank AIP Foundation. And this year, I would like to also thank all local partners in Chonburi province for supporting us in promoting sustainable road safety and traffic regulations observance among children and youths. I’m glad to be here as the representative of Bridgestone Thailand under the 2^nd Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project. Today, we are delighted to hand over the road modifications to Bansuan Jananusorn School, Chonburi province, as the pilot school in this year as we recognize the benefit of road modifications in the area. The school zone was implemented by providing visible traffic signages, installing lighting to increase brightness at night, and improving the area as a safer zone. As the pilot school for road safety, we hope this will prevent accidents and reduce losses for the school and neighboring community."

Mrs. Ratanawadee Hemniti Winther, Chairperson of AIP Foundation, explained the  importance of road modifications for the school under the 2^nd Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project, “The road modifications handover at Bansuan Jananusorn School is a positive sign that all parties are working to bring sustainable road safety, especially the Bridgestone’s Youth Champions who are the potential forces to drive our country for sustainable road safety. The road modifications were carried out using iRAP’s Star Ratings for Schools system or SR4S. ^*1  The initial road assessment for this school zone showed that the area in front of the school had a dense traffic situation. It is also a U-Turn point and a major crossing near the department store. We saw the importance of safety for students, teachers, parents, and neighboring communities. Therefore, we worked with local partners to install visible traffic signage, such as U-Turn signage and lighting to increase brightness at night. We painted to reiterate the original traffic line clearly and improved a student drop-off zone. These infrastructure modifications contribute to our work towards achieving one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes improvements in road safety to reduce the rate of road injuries and deaths by 50 % within the year 2030. It also means ensuring that all students have equal access to education, go to school safely, and cultivate a safety culture in the community.”

Mr. Amnaj Charoensri, Vice Governor of Chonburi, revealed, “Today, I am delighted to participate in the road modifications handover ceremony at Bansuan Jananusorn School under the 2^nd Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project. Thank you to Thai Bridgestone, AIP Foundation, and other local partners in Chonburi province for supporting a safer mobility society. Chonburi province is the principal city in the Eastern region with heavy traffic, careless road users, and a lack of traffic regulations, which cause frequent accidents, property loss, injuries, and deaths. Road safety behaviors encouragement and traffic regulations observance and driving kindness cultivation among young generations and the community are important. Once again, thank you for a strong support in organizing Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project that is helpful for children, youths, and society.”

Mrs. Napaporn Munmueang, Director of Bansuan Jananusorn School, said, “The areas in front of and adjacent to our school are road risks to the students and their parents, teachers, and community. We wish to thank you, Thai Bridgestone, AIP Foundation and, Chonburi government for selecting Bansuan Jananusorn School as the pilot school to implement a road safety curriculum for the students and modify the infrastructure around the school to reduce road accidents for everyone.” 

Thai Bridgestone is committed to reducing road accidents proactively by raising road safety awareness and encouraging road safety behaviors, starting with young generations, as they are the potential driving forces in the country. Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project is also one of the social contribution activities in which related parties support accessibility for all. It is in line with our “Bridgestone E8 commitment”; “Empowerment” to promote dignity, equality, and integrity to increase accessibility for all, and “Ease” to bring comfort and peace of mind to mobility life, as well as give back to Thai society by promoting and preventing road accidents for sustainable mobility safety. We are moving forward to expand Bridgestone Global Road Safety Project nationwide to more schools in the upcoming years in response to Bridgestone Road Safety initiatives implemented globally.

^*1 The school safety zone has been improved to reach the 5-Star Ratings for Schools by using the iRAP’s Star Ratings for Schools system - SR4S. This is an evidence-based tool for measuring, managing, and communicating the risks children are exposed to on a journey to school. The SR4S was awarded a prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in December 2018, recognizing the application’s huge potential to reduce risk and save the lives of pedestrians worldwide.
It supports quick interventions that save lives and prevent serious injuries from day one. Moreover, the United Nations has included road safety in its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6 - Good health and well-being. SR4S is key to meeting these global targets for child and adolescent pedestrians.