Volvo Sends iSTREC Challenge Winner to Sweden
Commercial Vehicles Safety & Compliance

Volvo Sends iSTREC Challenge Winner to Sweden

Volvo Safety (Custom)

Following his deserving achievement winning the first prize of the iSTREC (Innovative Solutions to Reduce Crashes between Trucks and Motorcycles) Challenge which concluded early this year, Muhammad Isa Lim recently embarked on a unique and all-expense paid study trip to Volvo Trucks in Gothenburg, Sweden.

As the iSTREC challenge was very much focused on safety, the 21-year-old student from Universiti Malaysia Sabah embarked on a journey from September 2 to 7, 2014 to the second largest city in Sweden and was exposed to one of the safest countries in the world.

“Winning the study trip was exciting, but experiencing it was even more incredible. It was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as the unique and eye-opening experience changed my perspective on safety,” said Isa.

iSTREC or “Innovative Solutions to Reduce Crashes between Trucks and Motorcycles” is an initiative and collaboration between Volvo Trucks, AIM, UPM, Business Sweden and Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre of Sweden (SAFER).

Officially formed in January last year, the mandate of iSTREC is to collaborate, seek and recommend solutions to reduce crashes and casualties between trucks and motorcyclists in Malaysia.

Outshining over 700 entries nationwide, Muhammad Isa Lim’s video presentation entry entitled “Highway travel time policy” looks at a solution from a policy angle – winning him the coveted prize of an all-expense paid study trip to Sweden. His winning idea proposed that in order to decrease the frequency of clashes between trucks and motorcycles, a policy must be drafted and enforced to separate the two types of vehicles traveling, specifically on highways.

Using a combination of existing tracking technology via GPS/toll system and tax incentives, truck companies can be encouraged to move their fleet at night, when there are far fewer motorcyclists traveling on the road. Truckers that travel during the day will have to pay higher toll rates compared to travelling at night, and will need to pay premium road tax.

“We underlined our commitment to safety by building safer vehicles as well as encourage safe driving behaviour among the public. We are pleased that we are able inculcate a sense of ownership amongst students on social issues and empowering them to take action for improvement. We are glad that our student winner took home important key learnings and we look forward to meeting more bright talents like him,” said Mats Nilsson, Managing Director of Volvo Malaysia.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Verified by MonsterInsights