Finnish racing drivers appeal for road safety
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A number of Finnish motor racing star have joined a campaign for safer driving habits. The aim of the campaign is to save human lives.
A special focus is on encouraging young men to use seat belts.
The campaign, run by the traffic safety organisation Liikenneturva and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, includes Finnish Formula 1 drivers Mika Häkkinen, Mika Salo, Jyrki Järvilehto and Heikki Kovalainen.
Also backing the cause are rally drivers Tommi Mäkinen, Juha Kankkunen, and Marcus Grönholm. Another participant in the campaign is Aki Hintsa, who is responsible for medical services for the McLaren-Mercedes F1 team.
Mika Salo had a message for those who question the use of racing drivers to promote safe driving.
“We are lucky. We have survived because we have used security devices. We have friends who have not survived”, Salo said at the launch of the campaign at Helsinki’s House of the Estates on Wednesday.
“I always use a seat belt myself.”
Järvilehto also said that he will not go into traffic without a seat belt.
Salo said that he hopes to be part of the campaign because he wants to contribute to the saving of lives.
He emphasised that car racing and driving in traffic have nothing to do with each other. Racing drivers have good safety equipment, a medical team nearby, and a huge number of hours of practice.
The F1 and rally drivers will visit vocational schools to promote safe driving habits. One or two race drivers will visit each school.
On the list will be schools in Turku, Oulu, Kuopio, Porvoo, and Seinäjoki, where young people have been involved in a large proportion of serious traffic accidents.
Minister of Transport and Communications Anu Vehviläinen was pleased to get the racing drivers to take part in the campaign. She believes that young men will listen to sensible advice on safe driving habits from the racers.
“I do not believe that I could influence young men”, Vehviläinen said.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 12.3.2009 - TODAY |
 Finnish racing drivers appeal for road safety |
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