In line with its “Committed to be Better” promise,national car manufacturer PROTON Holdings Berhad is dispatching Mobile Teams as part of its Rear Centre Lap Belt Campaign to ensure that Proton car owners comply with the Government ruling that will make it compulsory for vehicles to be fitted with the safety device from 1 January 2012. Installation of the Rear Centre Lap Belt is free for owners of the Saga LMST and Gen.2 manufactured between 2004 and 2008 and will take approximately 30 minutes per vehicle.
In conjunction with the month-long campaign, the PROTON Mobile Teams have been dispatched to used car outlets in Klang Valley, and will be targeting army and police stations nationwide, Government offices and public universities later this month. To date, the Mobile Team units – which consist of eight teams of four personnel, have installed rear centre lap belts in more than 700 cars since it was launched on 5 December 2011. The activities of the Mobile Teams complements a series of road shows and other on-the-ground programmes around the country which began in September, that included awareness campaigns at Jusco shopping malls, TESCO and Giant hypermarkets, and selected Shell and Petronas petrol stations. PROTON has also set up special hospitality and safety marquees at highway rest stop areas in Dengkil, Ayer Keroh, Gunung Semenggol and Temerloh, and is distributing pamphlets at selected tolls in collaboration with the National Road Safety Department.
“Our priority is the safety of our customers and it is therefore imperative that car owners understand and appreciate the importance of the rear centre lap belt,” said PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
“We are going all out to reach our customers. These efforts are not only geared towards the installation of the Rear Centre Lap Belt, but focuses on educating car owners on the greater aspects of road safety and how to stay safe on the road.”
Global research shows that the use of rear lap belts reduce the risk of both head (by 47%) and abdominal (52%) injuries in potentially fatal frontal crashes. In all crashes, Rear Lap Belts are also 32% more effective in reducing fatalities when compared to unrestrained back seat occupants.
Overall, the use of Rear Lap Belts is effective in vehicles as it prevents unrestrained occupants from being ejected out of the vehicle in the event of a crash. In crashes, unbelted rear passengers also increase the fatality risk of front seat occupants by nearly five times.
For enquiries and further details, customers can contact Proton i.Care at 1-300-880-888, email to [email protected], or visit the website at www.proton-edar.com.my.
