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The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
AA launches road safety week
In celebration of the United Nations Global Road Safety Week beginning on May 12, the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) is initiating a special Road Safety Week campaign centred on creating safer environments for vulnerable road users, especially children, pedestrians, and cyclists. The flagship event will be a high-level panel discussion supported by the FIA Foundation, designed to shed light on the critical issues faced by these groups and explore practical solutions to improve safety on South African roads. Read more: Nedbank cyclists represented at annual Youth Festival The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. Pedestrians account for nearly 40% of annual road fatalities in South Africa, with children aged five to 14 being among the most vulnerable. Road traffic injuries are one of the leading causes of death within this age group. Cyclists, often navigating roads lacking dedicated infrastructure and proper visibility, face heightened risks of injury and fatalities. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted safety interventions and infrastructure investments to protect those most at risk. A central feature of the event will be a presentation of the 'Walking Safely to School' (WATCH) project in Mamelodi, Tshwane. This community-driven initiative, developed through a partnership between AA South Africa, ChildSafe South Africa, and supported by the FIA Foundation, demonstrates how simple yet effective infrastructure improvements can significantly reduce risks for schoolchildren. By creating safer walking routes, this project aims to promote safer, healthier, and more accessible means of travel for children heading to school. Also read: Volvo Trucks' new safety system aims to protect cyclists, pedestrians Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of AA South Africa, emphasised the importance of listening to communities' needs: 'The fact that so many children walk to school without suitable infrastructure is unacceptable. We need urgent, long-term investments in road safety – and that starts with engaging directly with those most affected.' The event will also feature discussions on road safety data and trends in South Africa, the existing gaps in infrastructure, and proven safety measures that can be implemented to reduce accidents involving children, pedestrians, and cyclists. The panel will explore the lived experiences of vulnerable road users, highlighting the importance of civil society's role in shaping policies that foster safer transport environments. Lessons learned from local projects, including the Mamelodi initiative, will be shared to inspire further action. To complement the event, a digital campaign will be launched encouraging South Africans to share their walking routes, identify unsafe areas, and advocate for municipal action using hashtags such as #MakeWalkingSafe, #MakeCyclingSafe, and #SafeStreetsSA. Through these efforts, the AA aims to raise awareness and galvanise support for safer, more inclusive streets that protect the most vulnerable. By fostering community engagement, advocating for infrastructure improvements, and promoting a culture of safety, the organisation hopes to create a lasting impact that ensures every child, pedestrian, and cyclist can navigate South African roads safely and confidently. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: A warning that help drivers from dooring cyclists At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Associated Press
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
TOXIC ONLINE ABUSE NOW ‘ROUTINELY' TARGETING REFEREES AND OFFICIALS LEADING TO TALENT DRAIN
Landmark report reveals half of sporting officials and referees are now 'routinely' targeted with online abuse Over 50% of all abuse directed at competitors is misogynistic or racist, a notable rise in the past year 9 in 10 federations agree athletes and competitors may quit their sport unless online abuse is effectively addressed LONDON, Feb. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports are facing a critical threat of losing competitors, referees, and officials due to the escalation of online abuse, according to the FIA's United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Campaign. Founded by the FIA and supported by the FIA Foundation, UAOA is the leading global coalition tackling online abuse in sport. The coalition's landmark 2025 Barometer, launched today during the FIA Officials Summit at the Circuito de Madrid Jarama - RACE by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, provides a stark look at the barrage of abuse being faced by many in the sporting world. Key Findings: Misogyny and Racism: Half of all identified abuse was classified as misogynistic or racist, a notable rise in specificity compared to 2024. Threats to Harm Persist: 75% of federations reported continued threats against competitors and their families. Threatening Participation: 90% of federations agreed that unchecked abuse risks driving athletes away from sport. Officials and Referees Targeted: 50% of federations noted volunteers and officials are now routine targets, broadening the problem's scope. Working closely with leading academics and international sporting federations, including World Athletics, World Aquatics and the International Esports Federation, the coalition uses this vital research to give a voice to those affected and raise awareness, while tracking evolving trends, identifying key risk factors, and analysing regulatory gaps. Following a growing number of recent high-profile incidents of online abuse directed towards officials and referees across sports, these findings are set to galvanise the sporting world into taking collective and decisive action, led by the United Against Online Abuse campaign. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and Founder of United Against Online Abuse, said: 'Last year UAOA highlighted the devastating personal toll online abuse has on competitors and athletes. This second edition report has shone a light on the equally unacceptable abuse faced by officials and referees—essential members of the sporting community who ensure our competitions are conducted fairly, robustly, and with integrity. 'While it's encouraging to see more federations adopting anti-abuse measures, these findings show that the scale of abuse is continuing to grow. UAOA's work in 2025 will be critical in fostering collaboration across the sporting, political, and technology sectors to create meaningful, lasting solutions that protect all members of our community.' In response to these findings, UAOA has committed to leading a renewed and sustained effort to foster collaboration across the sporting, political and technology sectors. In addition to rolling out a groundbreaking EU-backed anti-online abuse initiative across Europe, this will also include hosting a major conference in North America during the summer of 2025 which will further strengthen international partnerships and design implementable solutions that drive behavioural and regulatory change. With 28 coalition members, including nine national governments, leading sporting federations, and regulatory institutions, UAOA has formed a unified, effective and formidable international response to online abuse. This coalition growth is a major component of UAOA's significant progress over the past 12 months: Coalition growth of 150%, expanding campaign's research and influence. Secured €400,000 in Erasmus+ funding to develop a Pan-European Framework to Combat Online Abuse in Sport, supported by the European Commission. Launched the industry's first open-access anti-online abuse educational module with 150+ students enrolled. Established the UAOA Scholarship Programme, funding four scholars at Dublin City University to research topics including online misogyny in motorsport. Hosted the first UAOA Conference in Paris, bringing together over 65 global leaders to discuss unified action. Produced 10 academic publications, including the Online Abuse Barometer, the Sports Journalist Barometer, and Safeguarding Guidelines. Received the 'Coalition for Peace' Award at the Peace and Sport Forum, presented by Prince Albert II of Monaco. For more information and to read the full report, visit United Against Online Abuse is an award-winning global coalition founded by the FIA President to tackle online abuse across sports. Uniting sports federations, national governments, regulatory bodies, and technology platforms, UAOA aims to foster regulatory and behavioural change to combat the rise of online harassment and hate speech. To date, the UAOA coalition has welcomed endorsements from the Governments of Greece, France, Slovenia, Albania, Australia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia and Rwanda, alongside sport federations and organisations such as FIM, the International Esports Federation, ASETEK SimSports, Peace and Sport Monaco, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Clark Hill LLP, and DCU University.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
TOXIC ONLINE ABUSE NOW 'ROUTINELY' TARGETING REFEREES AND OFFICIALS LEADING TO TALENT DRAIN
Landmark report reveals half of sporting officials and referees are now 'routinely' targeted with online abuse Over 50% of all abuse directed at competitors is misogynistic or racist, a notable rise in the past year 9 in 10 federations agree athletes and competitors may quit their sport unless online abuse is effectively addressed LONDON, Feb. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports are facing a critical threat of losing competitors, referees, and officials due to the escalation of online abuse, according to the FIA's United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Campaign. Founded by the FIA and supported by the FIA Foundation, UAOA is the leading global coalition tackling online abuse in sport. The coalition's landmark 2025 Barometer, launched today during the FIA Officials Summit at the Circuito de Madrid Jarama - RACE by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, provides a stark look at the barrage of abuse being faced by many in the sporting world. Key Findings: Misogyny and Racism: Half of all identified abuse was classified as misogynistic or racist, a notable rise in specificity compared to 2024. Threats to Harm Persist: 75% of federations reported continued threats against competitors and their families. Threatening Participation: 90% of federations agreed that unchecked abuse risks driving athletes away from sport. Officials and Referees Targeted: 50% of federations noted volunteers and officials are now routine targets, broadening the problem's scope. Working closely with leading academics and international sporting federations, including World Athletics, World Aquatics and the International Esports Federation, the coalition uses this vital research to give a voice to those affected and raise awareness, while tracking evolving trends, identifying key risk factors, and analysing regulatory gaps. Following a growing number of recent high-profile incidents of online abuse directed towards officials and referees across sports, these findings are set to galvanise the sporting world into taking collective and decisive action, led by the United Against Online Abuse campaign. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and Founder of United Against Online Abuse, said: "Last year UAOA highlighted the devastating personal toll online abuse has on competitors and athletes. This second edition report has shone a light on the equally unacceptable abuse faced by officials and referees—essential members of the sporting community who ensure our competitions are conducted fairly, robustly, and with integrity. "While it's encouraging to see more federations adopting anti-abuse measures, these findings show that the scale of abuse is continuing to grow. UAOA's work in 2025 will be critical in fostering collaboration across the sporting, political, and technology sectors to create meaningful, lasting solutions that protect all members of our community." In response to these findings, UAOA has committed to leading a renewed and sustained effort to foster collaboration across the sporting, political and technology sectors. In addition to rolling out a groundbreaking EU-backed anti-online abuse initiative across Europe, this will also include hosting a major conference in North America during the summer of 2025 which will further strengthen international partnerships and design implementable solutions that drive behavioural and regulatory change. With 28 coalition members, including nine national governments, leading sporting federations, and regulatory institutions, UAOA has formed a unified, effective and formidable international response to online abuse. This coalition growth is a major component of UAOA's significant progress over the past 12 months: Coalition growth of 150%, expanding campaign's research and influence. Secured €400,000 in Erasmus+ funding to develop a Pan-European Framework to Combat Online Abuse in Sport, supported by the European Commission. Launched the industry's first open-access anti-online abuse educational module with 150+ students enrolled. Established the UAOA Scholarship Programme, funding four scholars at Dublin City University to research topics including online misogyny in motorsport. Hosted the first UAOA Conference in Paris, bringing together over 65 global leaders to discuss unified action. Produced 10 academic publications, including the Online Abuse Barometer, the Sports Journalist Barometer, and Safeguarding Guidelines. Received the 'Coalition for Peace' Award at the Peace and Sport Forum, presented by Prince Albert II of Monaco. For more information and to read the full report, visit United Against Online Abuse is an award-winning global coalition founded by the FIA President to tackle online abuse across sports. Uniting sports federations, national governments, regulatory bodies, and technology platforms, UAOA aims to foster regulatory and behavioural change to combat the rise of online harassment and hate speech. To date, the UAOA coalition has welcomed endorsements from the Governments of Greece, France, Slovenia, Albania, Australia, Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia and Rwanda, alongside sport federations and organisations such as FIM, the International Esports Federation, ASETEK SimSports, Peace and Sport Monaco, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, Clark Hill LLP, and DCU University. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE FIA Sign in to access your portfolio
