Sharjah, 06 April 2006 - THE biggest road safety campaign in the GCC launched by Nissan Middle East - aimed specifically at university students - has been picked up by Arabian Automobiles for their market in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
More than 400 students from the American University in Sharjah (AUS) attended the inaugural training session last week when top rally driver Mohammed Ben Sulayem gave advice on safety and urged road-users to abide by the regulations and save lives.
On average, five students from the AUS are killed every year in traffic accidents.
"The UAE has the most advanced infrastructure in the region and very strict traffic regulations, yet it is a pity to see careless drivers on the roads subjecting many innocent lives to danger. There are specific places where speed enthusiast may practice their interests and that is not on highways or public areas," said Ben Sulayem.
Nissan's University Safety Campaign provided more than 300 test drives - on-road and off-road - for AUS students who also took part in a series of safety competitions such as changing the spare wheel of a Nissan X-Trail, fixing a child seat in the back of a Nissan Tiida, and identifying the engine parts of a Nissan Altima.
Abhijeet Pandit, marketing manager of Arabian Automobiles Company, Nissan dealers in Dubai and Northern Emirates, said: "Arabian Automobiles and Nissan Middle East invested more than half a million dirhams in the event where students received priceless fun and education on safety driving and a wide range of prizes and giveaways, including free check-up vouchers and Nissan emergency kits for AUS students and faculty members owning a Nissan vehicle.
"AAC is acutely conscious of its corporate responsibilities and believes that increasing safety awareness in young people is the best way to inculcate the right motoring values and combat the dreadful toll exacted by road accidents.
"Through our cars and their own built-in safety features, AAC is making every effort to promote safe driving and reduce the unacceptable number of serious accidents that take place on our roads and highways." .
Other big partners joined hands with Arabian Automobiles and Nissan to add to the success of the university event and sponsored prizes that included two any-destination tickets from Air Arabia and Motorola safe-driving Bluetooth pieces.
Emirates Diving Association gave environment friendly bags, Nestle distributed chocolates, Nescafe hot drinks and Baskin Robins ice-cream while Virgin played their latest hits.
Monal Zeidan, Senior Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications Departments at Nissan Middle East said: "Nissan's University Safety Campaign will reach out to students, staff, and faculty members at tertiary education institutions across the GCC, aiming specifically at the 18-25 age group who are among the highest risk of being involved in road accidents."
-Ends-
© Press Release 2006
