5:34 pm, December 9, 2010
THE SMMT has accepted the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its work over the last 20 years.
The award, established in 1987, annually recognises outstanding achievement and innovation in road safety throughout the UK, and was presented by HRH Prince Michael of Kent at an award ceremony held in London.
HRH Prince Michael of Kent said: ‘Over the last 20 years, the automotive industry has made huge investments in the research and development of safety products. These systems have already saved lives and they have the potential to save millions more. Many of us take these innovations for granted, so this year I want to recognise the outstanding achievement of this industry.’
Accepting the award, SMMT’s chief executive, Paul Everitt (pictured), said: ‘On behalf of the automotive industry, I am proud to accept this award which recognises the significant contribution the automotive industry has made to vehicle safety.
‘A 56 per cent reduction over the last 20 years in the number of vehicle occupant deaths demonstrates how far innovative safety technologies have progressed since the introduction of ESC in the early 1990s. Today, vehicles have never been safer and vehicle manufacturers are pioneering new technologies to improve occupant protection further and reduce the risks for other road users.’
UK boasts some of the safest roads in the world. In 2009, the number of people killed in road accidents fell by 12 per cent compared to 2008.
