Facts
* The traffic accidents are considered one of the greatest contemporary security problems, and one of the most serious issues facing the different nations, they are usually accompanied by social, psychological and economic tragedies, besides their detrimental effects upon people’s health and national development. Moreover, they are the main cause of death among people aged under 40.
* In Jordan, traffic accidents are one of the main obstacles hindering the march of development led by His Majesty King Abdullah II. Traffic accidents drain the national economy by more than two hundred million dollars annually, in addition to the heavy human losses, whether dead or wounded.
* During the past ten years, traffic accidents caused the death of (7974) people and left (176645) injured, while the value of material losses was more than (1.5) billion Jordanian Dinar.
* The number of people holding a driving license in Jordan, until March, 31, 2009 was about 1.5 million. Statistics point out that the majority (90%) of road traffic accidents are attributed to human factors, and they stress that the most tragic among them are caused by violations of traffic regulations and signs, namely:
1. Failure to obey traffic light signs (Passing red traffic light).
2. Speeding.
3. Improper passing.
4. Improper or erratic lane changing without justification.
5. Non-compliance with mandatory signs.
6. Failure to give priority.
7. Failure to comply with stop signs.
* The National Forum for Awareness and Development NFAD has designed an initiative entitled:" The Excellent Driver and the Pioneers of Safe Driving Network" ,this initiative was adopted by the Jordanian Prime Minister H. E. Mr. Nader Dahabi after presenting it during the meeting of the National Traffic Safety Committee which was held in the Prime Ministry on Jun 2nd, 2009. A brief about the subject was published in the daily newspapers on June 3, 2009.
Objectives of the Initiative
General objective
The main objective of this initiative is the reduction of traffic accidents by motivating drivers to change their behavior through certain incentives, which in turn will lead to the creation of more responsible, conscious and safe driving behavior in Jordan.
Specific objectives
1. Realizing the selection criteria of the Excellent Driver on the national level .
2. Creating a core of committed drivers who will set an example in safe driving in order to encourage others to abide to the safe driving .
3. Establishing "The Pioneers of safe driving Network " , which will serve as an assembly of drivers who will be participating successfully in the Program of the Excellent Driver.
The Excellent Driver Program
This program is based on scientific methodology to motivate drivers to change their driving behavior and attitude, through certain incentives. The drivers who will participate successfully in this program will be illegible to join the Pioneers of Safe Driving Network PSDN .
All members of PSDN are recognized by media and the public as Excellent Drivers and will be rewarded as such.
In recognition of their support, all participating organizations will be honored in the annual ceremony of the Quality Initiatives, which is a public event attended by officials and senior leaders from different sectors and media representatives.
Awareness and Education Programs
The awareness and education programs include several axes that will be implemented at the national level, in coordination and cooperation with a number of institutions and stakeholders. These programs are:
Information Programs
The systematic use of the media in Jordan is achieving amazing results, especially with regard to the promotion of social issues. Through these programs one can access to most audiences in different sectors. Work can be performed through several axes in order to:
• Increase knowledge about traffic issues and the importance of traffic awareness.
• Encourage safe driving behavior and showing its importance in promoting the security of society.
• Create a climate of commitment to safe driving controls.
Religious Programs:
These programs promote human values and a sense of responsibility towards the protection of society through:
• Forwarding awareness-raising messages by linking them to religious values.
• Spreading the message of the importance of communal responsibility and the sacredness of preserving the lives of others and their property.
Youth programs:
They are carried out by holding workshops and meetings in schools and universities, in order to:
• Develop a sense of responsibility and promote human values to maintain the integrity of the community.
• Guide the youth in order to be able to make sound decisions when driving.
Internet Programs:
The website of the Initiative will provide a platform to chat and exchange views about the issue of safe driving; it will also provide links to related websites that will provide more detailed information about safe driving. It will also publish the news of the Initiative and encourage others to support and join it.