Highland MSP gives road safety input to representatives around the world

24th June 2014

Highlands & Islands (Labour) MSP and Road Safety Campaigner, David Stewart was invited to and attended the FIA Foundation Road Safety Scholarship Programme in London last Friday, when he met not only the organisers, but scholars from countries such as Italy, South Africa, Poland, Argentina, Portugal, China, Maldova, Lebanon and Uruguay, to brief them in relation to his road safety work in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland and in particular in relation to his Sensible Driving - Always Arriving campaign. This campaign has been up and running for over four years and its main thrust is to try and persuade the UK Government to pilot a form of graduated licence in Scotland.

Speaking today he said "I was delighted to be invited to give an insight into our road safety work up here in the Highlands to such a prestigious audience. I took along one of my team and we give those in attendance a full break down of our work, including a showing of the 12 minute film we made for the Sensible Driving campaign after the death of two local teenagers here in Inverness in a fatal road collision".

“I was pleased that the FIA staff and the scholars themselves were extremely interested in our work, evident from the questions we took from them whilst we were there”.

“ many of the scholars advised me that Politicians in their home country were not approachable and in some of the Governments corruption was a blocker to making significant progress”.

“ I was delighted to learn that most of those present thought that the work we were doing could and would make a difference in their home countries and I left them with all the details of the work carried out by my team to date”.

“ Perhaps as pleasing is the fact that the work being carried out here in the Highlands of Scotland is now getting world recognition”

The FIA Foundation Road Safety Scholarship Programme brings together talented young professionals from around the globe for a two-week intensive course on road safety policy and promotion in June or July each year. The key objectives of the Scholarship are to:
•Recruit outstanding individuals who will make a future impact on road safety in their countries;
•Develop their understanding of the management of road safety and equip them with strategies for promoting safer roads, safer vehicles and safer road user behaviour;
•Build an international network of young professionals committed to road safety.
The Road Safety Scholarship Programme is aimed at individuals currently working to make roads safe in their countries. The course is based primarily in London, with visits to specialist facilities and local road safety authorities. The programme includes:
•An introduction to the ‘Systems Approach' to Road Safety Management
•An overview of the role of international organisations in promoting and regulating road safety
•Visits demonstrating safe road design and local authority partnership programmes.
•Information on vehicle safety standards, driver training and education
•Seminars with the Road Police exploring issues of enforcement, data collection and training
•An introduction to the UK Department for Transport’s policy development and campaigns
•Sessions on sustaining political support and effective campaigning on road safety issues
•A group exercise on devising and implementing a national road safety strategy.
The course is guided by Kate McMahon, former Head of Road Safety Research in the UK Department for Transport, with the participation of FIA Foundation staff and other experts.

Road Safety Scholars must be agents of change – people able to make a substantial impact on the development of road safety in their countries. The FIA Foundation selects participants following receipt of applications, and decisions by the Foundation are final. Successful candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds, including motoring organisations, central or local government, economic development, campaigning organisations or the NGO sector. Other criteria for suitability are:

•A demonstrable commitment to improving road safety: Applicants must be able to demonstrate a track record of activity and a passion to promote safer roads.
•The ability to implement change in their countries: Successful candidates must be able to influence the development of public policy on road safety.
•English language proficiency: The course is conducted in English, so proficiency is essential.
•Experience: Candidates should have work experience in a relevant field, and MUST be in relevant employment at the time of application.
•Clear vision and motivation: They must have a clear vision of the need to improve road safety in their countries and a desire to implement change.
•Would use the training productively: Candidates should have proposals on how, in their own work, they hope to use their scholarship experience to improve road safety practice.
•Team players: Scholars must be team players with a desire to work with and learn from others.
•Good presentation skills: Candidates should be confident in speaking and presenting arguments.
•Computer literacy: Basic IT skills and an ability to communicate by email are essential.
Scholars present their own ‘Action Plan for Safe Roads’ to an expert panel of the FIA Foundation at the end of the Programme, and are awarded a certificate of achievement upon completing the course. FIA Foundation Scholars become part of an active international network of road safety campaigners. See our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/FIAFScholarship