Dedicated to realizing ‘Safety for Everyone,’ Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) recently commenced the Road Safety, and Honda SENSING Experience for Students program, in partnership with an international student youth leader organization, AISEC in the Philippines (AISEC).
Members of the prestigious organization of youth leaders, 22 from 7 colleges and universities in the country, displayed their passion for sustainability with their active participation in the learning session on road safety at the HCPI office in Sta. Rosa, Laguna last Oct. 8, 2022. The program aims to advance the consciousness and appreciation of young drivers for road safety and demonstrate through an experiential drive how advanced safety technologies like the Honda SENSING work towards the objective.
Honda’s commitment to ‘Safety for Everyone’ goes beyond the needs of drivers and passengers, and extends to all road users, such as pedestrians, bikers, riders, and other vehicles. Thus, efforts on improving safety are being done from the product, systems, and educational perspectives.
“Honda wants to make our roads safer for you, our next generation, and everyone we share the road with. This is one of the ways we are working to contribute to the development of society. With our collective effort, we can be more effective in preventing traffic accidents and injuries. I am grateful that you are taking part in this global campaign on road safety,” said HCPI President, Masahiko Nakamura, when he opened the program.
Honda’s approach towards sustainability was also part of the program, highlighting critical themes and initiatives, and their contribution to the sustainable development goals, as cited in Honda’s Integrated Report published on Sep 30, 2022. With regards to the global environmental direction, Honda is working towards 100% electrification of automobiles by 2040 to realize carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. In the area of safety, the global target is zero traffic collision fatalities from Honda motorcycles and automobiles by 2050. The interim goals to reach the bold target include applying advanced safety technologies to all models and providing everyone with road safety education opportunities by 2030.
The program included a very engaging discussion of the Honda Safety Driving Center on the most relevant driving behavior for young and beginning drivers, as well as traffic rules and regulations, penalties for non-compliance, and common misconceptions. Among many practical tips shared in the learning session are regarding pre-drive inspections, defensive driving, and preventing distractions. The Honda Safety Driving Center, established in 2008 and located in Bicutan, Paranaque, is a world-class training facility that is the country’s first motorcycle riding school that also implemented training programs for automobiles and trucks. HCPI and HSDC have been jointly promoting road safety through different programs.
The students were also able to experience the latest line of Honda SENSING vehicles, including the All-New Civic and All-New HR-V. Featuring the new Honda SENSING system, both vehicles use a camera with a wider field of view combined with improved software that achieves better vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and road marking recognition. Each vehicle used for the actual drive was accompanied by an HCPI-certified driving instructor for proper guidance and safety as the student participants try out the Honda SENSING safety features in a route drawn for the learning session.
“By applying what we have learned today, we will be able to make our roads safer for our young drivers and all road users. With the example of our own driving, we can reach more people, influence them to also observe safe driving habits, and help spread a better appreciation for road safety,” said Atty. Louie Soriano, General Manager for Sales of Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.