Traffic education project takes off with 1st SPMJ Cup

The traffic education project of the Society of Phillipine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) will take its first step with the opening of a "golf-for-a-cause" event on March 11 at the Riviera Golf & Country Club in Cavite.

The 1st SPMJ Invitational Golf Cup aims to raise funds for the production of teaching modules and audio-visual materials on traffic education for elementary and high school students.

Traffic education is the advocacy chosen by the SPMJ when its founders first convened last year to formally organize a journalists’ group covering the motoring beat. The production of the teaching modules is part of the short-term project on this advocacy. SPMJ will also work for the inclusion of traffic education in the elementary and high school curriculum as a subject that will boost the safety skills of future road users. In addition to this, SPMJ is also aiming to put up a "traffic city" where road safety and traffic education will be taught through regular workshops and real road experiences either as motorist or pedestrian.

A total of nine auto companies have pledged their support to the SPMJ’s golf invitational. The companies are: Ford Group Phils., Isuzu Phils. Corp., Honda Cars Phils., General Motors Automobiles Phils., Viking Cars Inc. (Volvo), Mitsubishi Motors Phils., Universal Motors Corp. (Nissan Comercial Vehicles), Toyota Motor Phils., and BMW Group Philippines. Meanwhile, Asahi Glass Corp., Michelin Tyres and BF Goodrich will be giving away some prizes.

Executives from the automotive manufacturers will be fielding teams to join the SPMJ Cup. Joining them will be members of the local media covering the motoring, sports and business beats.