China's basketball star Yao Ming and the Together for Safer Roads (TSR) coalition released Yao's first official emoji package along with Shanghai's traffic police to remind the public about traffic safety at the 5th National Traffic Safety Day.(Photo/Shanghai Daily)
China's Yao Ming and the Together for Safer Roads (TSR) coalition released the basketball star's first official emoji package along with Shanghai's traffic police to remind the public about traffic safety at the 5th National Traffic Safety Day.
The emoji package which can be downloaded free and used on various instant message applications are based on Yao's cartoon images. They remind the users about the top 10 traffic offenses by both drivers and pedestrians such as running red lights, illegal parking, incorrect lane changing, and illegal honking.
"We can create a safer and more civilized traffic environment with the joint effort and support of every citizen," said Yao, who was appointed the Shanghai Road Traffic Safety Ambassador by Shanghai Traffic Police last year. "I hope the emoji package can become a regular warning to the public about the traffic violations."
The emoji package was officially launched at the National Traffic Safety Day themed activity at the Shanghai Children's Art Theatre. A number of companies from both home and abroad have been awarded for supporting traffic safety.
The world's biggest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev, which is also a founding member of the TSR, was awarded the honorary title of "2016 Road Safety Public Service Partner" by the Shanghai government.
"Both AB InBev and TSR international coalition are committed to contribute toward road safety. AB InBev is willing to work together with the government, enterprises and social parties to create safer roads," said Frank Wang, Vice President Legal & Corporate Affairs, AB InBev APAC North.
AB InBev has been actively involved in and committed to supporting road safety for nearly a decade. The brewer has been advocating "never drive after drinking" and emphasizing road traffic construction in Shanghai, Wang said.
To promote the idea, AB InBev has invited Yao to film a series of micro-films with the theme of "Designated Driver." The films, popular on social networks, remind the audience to avoid drunk driving for their beloved families and friends. Yao's image has also been printed on a number of posters and other publicity materials on traffic safety to local residents.
The themed posters have won the second prize at a national competition.
Furthermore, the International Collaboration Lab for Road Safety of Tongji University, which is also a member of the TSR coalition, has launched a scientific research program to improve the conditions of local accident-prone roads and enhance training for drivers.
The research team led by Professor Wang Xuesong has analyzed many accident-prone roads from the aspects of space, time as well as the type and cause of accidents. Some road sections have been improved based on the research.
The TSR coalition has also issued 40 hi-tech behavior analysis equipment, K-Recorder, to local drivers of container and chemical trucks, as well as public and long distance buses to monitor and record any dangerous driving activity.
After the data analysis, TSR will launch a series of regular safety education for both the drivers and their management companies, according to Wang Xuesong.
"The TSR Shanghai demonstration project provides a good sample of joint efforts among enterprises, governments and scientific research institutions to improve traffic safety," said professor Wang.
The TSR — an innovative cross-sector coalition focused on improving road safety and reducing deaths and injuries from road traffic collisions — was founded by leading global companies, including AB InBev, AIG, AT&T, Facebook and IBM.
