The Jeddah International Motor Show, held from Dec. 13-17, hosted the Safe Driving Challenge event, organized by Saudi Aramco, in collaboration with Toyota and Community Jameel. The event, organized with the support of Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, attracted around 2,000 visitors.

The Safe Driving Challenge is an educational, recreational event for youth, ages 15+, which aims to spread awareness of the importance of safe driving. It teaches safe driving skills and important driving basics via a truck equipped with technology-enabled interactive simulation that proactively evaluates drivers on three levels. The assessment points out driving mistakes so that the driver does not commit them in reality.

At this year’s challenge, Hassan Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, president of Community Jameel Domestic, stated: “The Safe Driving Challenge is considered one of the fruits of the collaboration with Saudi Aramco, Toyota and Community Jameel, as part of the road safety initiative, to enable youth and drivers in general to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for safe driving through technology, simulation, and sustainable awareness. The collaboration of Saudi Aramco, Toyota and Community Jameel, as well as the governmental entities, sets an example of effective cooperation in the face of human, social and economic challenges resulting from accidents in Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Aramco’s Secretary General of the Traffic Safety Committee Sultan bin Houmod Al-Zahrani stated: “Since the initial launch of the Safe Driving Challenge in 2009, Saudi Aramco has used the truck to evaluate drivers on three levels with 12 multiple choice questions, driving simulation, conformity to traffic laws, and even a simulated traffic accident. The individual drives in different conditions with different variables and is then assessed, to avoid the same mistakes in reality. By using such a tool, we can be proactive in ensuring the safety of drivers.”