Bridgestone Southern Africa has partnered with child road safety NGO Wheel Well and the Department of Community Safety to deliver road safety education to learners across high schools in Gauteng and the North West Province, helping build safer behaviour among young road users.
The initiative, titled Life is a Journey, forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce South Africa’s high rate of road crashes by equipping young people with practical knowledge about responsible road use, vehicle safety and passenger awareness.
The programme was presented at Tembisa School of Specialisation and Masisebenze Secondary School in Tembisa, as well as Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park, Midrand. Additional schools in Brits in the North West Province are also participating.
Learners received guidance on essential road safety principles, including tyre safety checks, identifying signs that a vehicle may not be roadworthy, and understanding the shared responsibility of drivers, passengers and pedestrians in preventing accidents.
During interactive sessions, Bridgestone representatives demonstrated how to inspect tyres and explained the importance of vehicle maintenance. Learners were also introduced to basic safety equipment commonly kept in vehicles, including safety triangles and fire extinguishers, reinforcing the importance of preparedness in emergency situations.
“Road safety is not only the responsibility of drivers. Passengers and pedestrians also have a critical role to play,” said Fikile Masoga, Key Account Manager at Bridgestone. “Through education, we aim to empower young people to recognise risks and make safer decisions on the road.”
A powerful personal perspective was shared by crash survivor Zwelethu Mazibuko, who spoke about the life-changing consequences of a serious road accident. Mazibuko now lives with lasting health challenges following the incident and advocates for responsible road behaviour through Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death).
His message highlighted the long-term impact road crashes can have on individuals and families, encouraging learners to prioritise responsible choices such as wearing seatbelts, avoiding drinking and driving, and ensuring vehicles are roadworthy.
Learners participating in the programme reflected on the importance of accountability on the road, recognising that safe driving decisions affect not only the driver but also passengers, families and communities.
The Department of Community Safety identified participating schools as part of its broader commitment to protecting young people and promoting responsible road use from an early age.
Wheel Well founder Peggie Mars emphasised the importance of early education in shaping safer habits, noting that providing learners with knowledge and practical tools helps build long-term behavioural change.
Through collaboration between business, government and civil society, the programme aims to contribute to safer roads and more informed young road users across South Africa.
As road safety remains a national priority, initiatives such as Life is a Journey demonstrate how partnerships can help build a culture of awareness, responsibility and prevention among the next generation of drivers and passengers.
