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Liu Minxia, Chen Yue
mllmx@msn.com
A NUMBER of Shenzhen drivers tested their ability to drive safely in several interactive activities at an event organized by a U.S. insurer and the local insurance association over the weekend to raise road safety awareness among the public.
AIG China, a wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group (AIG Inc.), and the Shenzhen Insurance Association (SZIA) brought several driving simulators developed by the insurer to the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Stadium and allowed the public to experience the hazards of driving in a city environment. Each participant received a “safe driver assessment report” after the experience.
The organizers also brought a seat belt convincer, which allowed participants to experience the benefits of wearing a seat belt during a low-speed incident (10km/hr), and brought an impaired driving simulator, which brought to life the perils of drunk driving for the participants.
“At least 65,000 people are killed in road accidents each year in China,” said Eric Zheng, president and CEO of AIG China. “We’re doing our bit to raise awareness of road safety among the public and hopefully to reduce injuries and fatalities on our roads.”
The six-month tour, launched in Guangzhou on July 12, has completed its Foshan and Dongguan legs and will next travel to Shanghai.
“Today’s event is about promoting the idea of road safety in a slightly fun way with driving simulators,” said Andrew Byrne, head of auto insurance at AIG. “We have a corporate goal of making the world a safe place, and we want to contribute to the community.”
He Guohu, secretary general of SZIA, said the association hopes more insurers will join them in raising public awareness of road safety in the future.
The event will move to the south square of the Shenzhen Stadium from Sept. 6 to 8. Employees of Huawei Technologies, global partner of AIG, will have a chance to engage in the interactive activities while the insurer moves the simulators to its headquarters in Longgang District.
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