‘Think Before You Drive’

Bridgestone and the FIA have launched a joint global road safety campaign. Designed to help reduce road deaths, the ‘Think Before You Drive’ campaign is due to be launched in May at the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix in Barcelona.

Hiroshi Yamaguchi, a Bridgestone vice president responsible for brand management and product planning; David Ward, director general of the FIA Foundation; and Max Mosley, president of the FIA, announced the collaboration at the 75th Geneva International Motor Show.

Global road deaths are estimated at 1.2 million a year and so the campaign intends to promote simple road safety messages to drivers and car users. It will focus on activities such as using a seat belt and checking tyres. Road safety risk factors, including speeding and driving while under the influence of intoxicants will also be addressed.

Bridgestone views the campaign as an extension of its existing tyre safety educational activities conducted in Japan, North America, Europe and other regions. For the FIA Foundation, the campaign builds on recent successful seat belt campaigning in Europe and Latin America.

Road safety advice leaflets and tyre gauges will be distributed to the public and seat belt crash simulators will also be in action at the Bridgestone stand at the majority of the 2005 European F1 Grand Prix and at major Motor Shows.

Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Bridgestone vice president, commented on the campaign: “As the world’s largest manufacturer of tyres and other rubber products, we are keenly aware of our responsibility to do everything possible to maximise safety. That includes working to acquaint customers with the basics of tyre safety and to sensitise them to the importance of routine tyre inspections. Our Bridgestone Tyre Safety Project, launched in Japan in 2003, is an initiative to enlist customers in the pursuit of tyre safety. Our collaboration with the FIA Foundation is a welcome opportunity to globalise that initiative.”