Bangkok--4 Apr--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Michelin in collaboration with government agency promotes “Michelin Safe on the Road” campaign through a seminar “Songkran: A Festival of Happiness?” Gathering ideas to lessen road accidents during Songkran festival And sending ‘Tyre Doctor’ to check-up on tyres nationwide Michelin in collaboration with Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior, and Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation further continues its commitment in making road safety through another phase of “Michelin Safe on the Road” campaign, a seminar called “Songkran: A Festival of Happiness?”. The seminar aims to find better way to lessen and prevent accidents that may happen during the season where accident rates are at their peaks. Michelin also comes up with an idea to help create maximum road safety by sending “Tyre Doctor” to check-up on tyres at participating PTT gas stations, TyrePlus and Michelin Service Center throughout the month of April. Free of charge! Mr. Prayong Hirunyawanich, President of Michelin Siam Group, explains about Michelin’s Safe on the Road project that “Michelin is strongly committed to making roads safer and encouraging drivers nationwide to aware of safety driving which will lead to better mobility in people’s lives. The campaign “Safe on the Road” is a long-term campaign initiated together under the collaboration between government sector and private sector — Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior, Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation and Michelin — in which, for this period of the year, the campaign aims to help lessen accidents during the upcoming Songkran festival.” “Source from Ministry of Interior indicates that during Songkran period last year, there were 4,274 accidents, 361 people being killed and 4,805 injuries. As such, to make this period a really happy festival for everyone from people who take their days off to reunion with families to the group of travelers traveling on the road during holidays, road safety is really an important issue we need to create awareness among drivers and encourage them to improve their behaviour. So to speak, Michelin arranges a seminar called “Songkran: A Festival of Happiness?” and give every stakeholder an opportunity to share their ideas on how to prevent and lessen accidents effectively in order to make this Songkran period a really happy festival like the title say,” added Mr.Prayong. Mr. Anucha Mokkhavesa, Director General of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior, said “The core mission of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is to formulate policy for disaster management and develop disaster prevention, warning system and mitigation in order to make Thai people’s lives and properties safer and more secure. Road accident is one of important issues that each government has always focused on, especially during long holidays where there are more people travelling and more accidents happen. As Michelin comes up with a good campaign to help promote road safety like this Safe on the Road campaign, I strongly believe that it will help create better mobility just like its commitment.” Pol Maj Gen Bhanu Kertlappol, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander, who is responsible for taking care of the traffic in metropolitan area, said “For this upcoming long weekend, Metropolitan Police Bureau has prepared our teams to take care of all roads in metropolitan area especially the main roads that will surely be in traffic congestion. I insist firmly to my team in measuring alcohol in drivers’ breath especially motorcycle drivers, so that, the accidents during this period will happen as less as possible. In addition, on behalf of all policemen, I would like to encourage everyone to follow traffic regulations when you are driving. It is for both your own safety and other people’s safety.” Mr. Thaeching Siripanich, Md, Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation Secretary General, said that “As you all may know that most of road accidents during long weekend are caused by drunk driving. For the foundation, we have campaigned strongly and continuously on this issue. Though the record of accidents is improved year-on-year, we did not yet achieve our prime target which is to zero it. Personally, I don’t want Songkran to be a festival of death anymore. As such, to make it a festival of happiness, I would like to encourage people not to drink and drive and above all, always checking up on your car’s condition before starting the engine.” Mr. Prayong concludes that “To make our campaign accordant with the government’s plan in lessening and preventing accidents during Songkran festival, Michelin also comes up with “Tyre Checking” program for drivers. We will prepare “Tyre Doctor” to check-up on all aspects of tyre’s health and advice drivers how to have proper tyre pressure for safety driving. The program is created in collaboration with PTT Public Company Limited, TyrePlus and Michelin Service Center in all branches. Drivers can bring along your cars to check-up your tyres throughout this month of April.” (Participating PTT gas stations will provide the service during April 4-10.) Public Relations: Miss Thongkorn Dasaneyavaja Tel. 0 2619 3243