Road safety remains a critical concern in Malaysia, with over 532,000 road accidents recorded between January and October 2024, including 5,364 fatal incidents.
Media reports showed that motorcyclists and pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 68% of these fatalities.
In response to road crashes, with vulnerable road users facing an acute and rising risk of death, TotalEnergies Malaysia, in collaboration with Arus Academy, launched the VIA Safe Mobility program in 2022, localizing the curriculum to address the country’s road safety challenges.
This initiative aligns with TotalEnergies’ core value of safety, fostering a culture of awareness and action among young Malaysians.
To date, the VIA program has engaged 11,964 students through the Ministry of Education’s DELiMA platform, which provides free, interactive digital resources to schools, fostering engaging learning experiences and supporting curriculum-based education.
Jennifer Li, the managing director of TotalEnergies Marketing Malaysia said the road-safety program demonstrated the company’s commitment to the communities they serve.
“Creating safer roads begins with youth education and empowerment. Programs like VIA foster a culture of safe road usage among our youths by enabling them with the tools to advocate positive changes. Together, we hope to build a future where our roads are safer for everyone.”
Arus Academy co-founder and CEO Alina Amir said, “The VIA program is about empowering students to take charge of their own environments. The solutions proposed by the students show how young minds, when given the right tools and guidance, can address real-world problems creatively and effectively.”
This year, students from SJK(C) Kwang Hwa, Sungai Nibong, Penang were awarded a EUR 5,000 grant at the national level to improve school road safety, after winning the VIA Safe Mobility program.
They advanced to the regional competition, where they emerged as champions and secured a place in the global finals, competing against teams from Angola, Brazil, Lebanon, Madagascar and Morocco.
The students presented their innovative road safety solutions on the international stage, showcasing their ideas to global peers, policymakers, and industry leaders.
The VIA Safe Mobility program was a rewarding experience for the team of Primary 6 students. Their journey began by observing road safety concerns faced by their schoolmates and community, from traffic congestion to pedestrian safety, and with guidance from their teachers, they developed innovative solutions to tackle their school’s road safety challenges.
Their proposals included:
- Installing an automatic barrier gate to manage traffic flow and a prominent sign reading “AWAS Palang Automatik” (Caution: Automatic Barrier) to capture road users’ attention.
- Painting an orange zone on the road 100 meters before the pedestrian traffic light to alert drivers to slow down and prepare for the school zone ahead.
Guided by TotalEnergies Malaysia and Arus Academy, the students refined and implemented their solutions.
They engaged local representatives to support their initiatives, collaborated with the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to secure necessary permits for road and pavement modifications, and worked with Bike Commute Malaysia, a grassroots organization advocating for sustainable urban mobility, to gain insights and advice on enhancing their prototype.
Batu Uban state assemblyman Kumaresan Arumugam provided valuable feedback on the feasibility of the students’ solutions and their alignment with local infrastructure policies.
The students will use the EUR 5,000 grant to turn their vision into reality, addressing critical road safety concerns in their community and creating a safer environment for their peers and local residents.
The students’ achievement reflects the transformative power of collaboration, innovation and youth advocacy in shaping safer communities. Through the VIA Safe Mobility program, TotalEnergies continues to demonstrate its leadership in fostering safety, sustainability and community engagement worldwide.
 Kwang Hwa, Penang emerged as champions in the VIA Safe Mobility program 2024.t to improve road safety at their school.){kind=link}