FedEx Driving Skills Challenge Promotes Good Driving Habits within UAE Universities

March 18, 2013 - PRLog -- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates —FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp.  and the world’s largest express transportation company, is launching a driving skills challenge organized by Ciel Marketing & Events and endorsed by Dubai Police and the Emirates Motor Sports Federation to share safe driving habits among the youth of the UAE.

The awareness campaign will be conducted across Dubai-based universities between March17-25.   More than 2,000 students from five different universities will receive interactive lectures and participate in an exciting simulator experience.  Eligible students will also participate in a driving competition which will focus on cautious driving skills rather than speed.  A total of six skilled winners, from both male and female categories, will be appointed as Road Safety Ambassadors.

The universities participating in the program are Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Women’s Campus, Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men’s Campus, BITS Pilani, American University in Dubai and Manipal University.

“At FedEx, road safety is an important aspect not only in our daily operations, but also for the community we live and work in.  Every day, more than 75,000 FedEx vehicles are on the road globally sharing the streets with other motorists and pedestrians”, said David Ross, senior vice president, Operations, FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.  “The government has implemented numerous road safety initiatives, but it is also important for companies operating in the UAE to play their part in educating the public by sharing best practices.  Over the past 40 years, FedEx has continuously improved the way we operate on the ground, and we are committed to sharing these lessons with the youth of the country.”

“There is a dire need to educate youth about cultivating safe driving habits and instill the need to remain focused on skill rather than speed.  We have tailor-made the program to give the students a good balance of theory, visual aids and a competition to help us carry on the program beyond the campus with the help of the Ambassadors, who will be the winners of the FedEx Driving Skills Challenge.” said Roshanara Sait, director, Ciel Marketing & Events.

Road Safety specialists will speak to the students about common causes of accidents, statistics, observation skills, psychology of driving, and how to lower the risk profile.  The roll-over experience in a receptive simulator will provide additional value by helping the students realize the advantages of wearing seatbelts.  The program will culminate with the FedEx Driving Skills Challenge competition, which will be held at Higher Colleges of Technology Dubai Men's Campus on March 25, 2013 with each university nominating a team of 20 members.

Day one of the FedEx Driving Skills Challenge sessions took place at BIT Pilani in Dubai. Over 375 students attended the informative talk by a Road Safety Instructor who highlighted various aspects such as Driver Awareness, Seating Position, Seat Belt and Mobile Phone Use while driving, aspects of Stopping Distance requirements. He also highlighted the need to adopt the Safe Driving Triangle by the students which focuses on confidence, awareness and anticipation. The graphic videos displayed to the students on the risks of using mobile phones, etc, have had a positive impact on the students who were made aware of the dangers of not following road safety rules.

The Dubai Police were also represented at the event and encouraged the students to respect road rules. The students signed a pledge and promised to follow several simple yet important road rules. The exciting part of the day’s session culminated in a simulator experience and 16 lucky students were selected to represent their college at the FedEx Driving Skills Challenge.    

The participants will get a taste of the action and exhibit their driving skills at the competition. They will also experience manoeuvres to improve their car handling abilities, work towards improving their driving techniques and understand the concept of using skill over speed.  All participants will receive a certification of participation endorsed by Dubai Police, and the six chosen FedEx Driving Skills Challenge winners will receive trophies.

About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air and ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with money-back guarantee.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp.  provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenues of $43 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.