Road Safety

“The increase in road traffic accidents is a trend which is spreading across all underdeveloped countries, where the growth in the number of cars is leading to more deaths and accidents, whilst in developed countries the trend is for a decrease in both road traffic accidents and fatalities,” says Engineer Colonel Taher Mahmoudi, Head of Libya’s General Traffic Department. Whilst Libya is an enormous country, the majority of Libya’s population is concentrated in a narrow coastal belt along the Mediterranean. In this congested and ageing road system many of the important factors which are essential to good traffic management require attention.

“These include a shortage of emergency services, a lack of ongoing engineering on the roads, a lack of education with regard to driving standards and behaviour, and very little enforcement of motoring rules and regulations,” says Colonel Taher. “Enforcement in most countries is a major deterrent for bad drivers but social attitudes in Libya mean the deterrents for breaking traffic regulations are rarely enforced and more often ignored by everyone.

“The death rate on the roads of Libya is currently running at 4.2 people per day. In our drive to improve matters, we are being assisted by Shell, as well as other partners, to raise awareness amongst the general population of the dangers of bad driving,” he says.

Working with Shell, the General Traffic Department is preparing to initiate the establishment of a Road Safety Association, an NGO (non- Government organisation), and plans for this are under way. The purpose of this will be to develop a national road safety strategy for Libya, to raise awareness and introduce practical measures to reduce road traffic accident statistics.

“So Shell and the Traffic Department are moving ahead to develop the Association, which will take on the role of implementing the road safety strategy whilst utilising the expertise of Shell.

“Shell brought in an expert from Holland to Libya, who delivered a lecture to a select audience, including Government officials and senior private sector managers,” says Colonel Taher. “This lecture was very well received and attracted a great deal of media coverage.

“Another positive move by Shell has been the development of a series of dramatic television advertisements, outlining the main dangers we face on the roads. The three main dangers are, undoubtedly, driving without a seat-belt, speeding and talking on the mobile telephone whilst driving. These TV advertisements made an enormous impact on viewers.

“Deaths from road traffic accidents are now the third cause of death globally, and this is something that affects all of us. Having Shell on our side as a partner in this campaign is good news, and together we hope that we will be able to make a real impact to help reduce accidents on the roads of Libya,” concludes Colonel Taher.

Health and Safety

Shell signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Libyan Scouting Movement in 2007 to work together for a three-year period on three annual activities.

Salah El-Khdar, Leader of Al Madina Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Troop in Tripoli, says, “The three events, which will take place in 2008, are Road Safety Awareness Week, scheduled for April, No-Smoking Day, which will happen in May, and HIV/Aids Day, which will take place on 1st December.

“My role is to act as a liaison between Shell and the Scouting Movement to co-ordinate all of these activities, as well as participating in all the events with my own troop here in Tripoli.

“For the Road Safety Awareness Week we have organised a series of events at which we will distribute printed materials to the general public to emphasise three main messages. One, to wear your seat-belt at all times. Two, do not talk on the phone whilst driving. Three, do not speed.

“Shell is providing the financial back-up and all the printed material. For the No-Smoking and HIV/Aids days Shell will also provide all the necessary support.

“We have developed a good relationship with Shell, and by working with us the company has delivered a message to the community in Libya that it ‘walks the walk’ when it comes to community action,” Salah concludes.

Fire Fighting and First Aid

In a project conducted jointly in 2007 with a local NGO (non-Government organisation), namely the Family Care Association, Shell Libya supported the upgrade of fire-combating equipment and evacuation capabilities for local schools.

“Shell Libya has given support to seven schools in Tripoli by supplying them with fire-detection, fire-fighting and first-aid equipment. The company has also provided training to selected members of staff, including administrative staff, in the use of all the equipment and for emergency evacuation procedures,” says Fawzia Bin Ghashir, Head of School Health and Social Services of the General People’s Committee for Education.

“The seven schools have a total of 7,000 children, boys and girls from the age of six to 15.

“We would like to have support from international companies for more schools, as I am sure this would be welcomed by the Ministry of Education,” says Fawzia.