News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 09 September 2010
A joint venture
between the Government's THINK! campaign and one of the
country's largest lorry fleets is taking safety messages
to the roads.
Stobart Group and Tesco have provided space on the backs of 200
trucks to carry adverts reminding drivers to take regular breaks
and not to use mobiles while driving.
Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, today visited Stobart Group
in Widnes to mark this important partnership and see the campaign
in action.
Mike Penning said:
"The THINK! truck backs campaign is a fantastic example
of the public and private sector working together to get across
important road safety messages to drivers while they are on the
road.
"By working together Eddie Stobart, Tesco and THINK!
have developed a campaign which combines advertising creativity
with value for money for the taxpayer.
"I am very grateful to both companies for their
generosity in allowing us to use this space and I hope that other
similar initiatives will follow in the future."
Andrew Tinkler Stobart Group CEO said:
“With one of the largest fleets on the UK’s roads, and a
specialist Eddie Stobart driver training school that all our
drivers have to pass through, regardless of experience, road
safety is of absolute paramount importance to the Stobart Group.
“It is said that when driving on major UK roads, an Eddie Stobart
truck is seen every 4 to 5 minutes, which clearly lends itself
very well to promotion and raising public awareness. So we were
only too happy to support the DfT with the idea of including the
THINK! campaign posters on some of our truck-backs – especially as
we so fully endorse the campaign’s messages.”
The trucks carry one of two adverts: one on the dangers of
fatigue, prompting drivers to turn off the road if they are
feeling tired; the other reminding drivers that using a mobile
phone at the wheel could cost them 3 points on their licence and
up to £1,000 in court fines.
Notes to Editors
The DfT have put up £58,592 funding for printing and fitment of
the advertising however the estimated value of the 12 months
campaign is £1.5m - more than 25 times the cost to the DfT.
Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2009 main results:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/accidents/casualtiesmr/rrcgbmainresults2009
More information on THINK! including advice for drivers can be
found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/
Images of the visit will be available.
Press Enquires: 020 7944 3066
Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292 Public
Enquiries: 0300 330 3000 Department for
Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk
Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Roads
Phone: 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk