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Today at the Jeppe Quondam in Bedforview, IMPERIAL I-Pledge handed 10 patrol and Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) vehicles to N3TC (N3 Toll Concession) as well as two vehicles to the N1N4 Bakwena toll route Concessionaire, to be used between 15 April – 07 May 2014. This vehicle sponsorship - running for the 4th consecutive year and supported by IMPERIAL’s Europcar - is aimed at increasing and boosting route surveillance, patrol support and post-crash care during the busy holiday season.
 
“The routes were selected based on the fact that previous records indicated that they have some of the highest volumes of traffic in the country. As a result, I believe that our continued support of these Concessionaires, reiterates our joint objective and commitment in ensuring that all road users’ journeys are safe and enjoyable,” says Niki Cronje, group marketing at IMPERIAL.
 
Charmaine Van Wyk, PR Officer for Bakwena says: “We believe that the presence of the patrol vehicles will influence drivers to be more cautious on the roads and will assist in reducing accidents during this busy period.  These vehicles are equipped with a basic first aid kit, tool kit and supplies of water, petrol and diesel to assist motorists along our route.”
 
Con Roux, Commercial Manager of N3TC adds: “This year, not only have IMPERIAL I-Pledge and Europcar provided a number of patrol vehicles but they have graciously agreed to provide two EMRS vehicles - aimed at providing additional medical assistance on the N3 Toll Route – as well as a vehicle for the N3TC Duduza ‘We Care’ Initiative, to assist with post crash support in the Van Reenen and Ladysmith vicinity along the Route. “These vehicles will be used to improve response times and patient care, in the unfortunate instance that there is a crash along the Route - a service that is most welcomed and will go a long way in demonstrating solid route support.”
 
Recently Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, stated that the current force was too small to manage South Africa’s growing national vehicle population.
 
Continues Cronje; “The hope is that these vehicles will assist in reducing the high number of road crashes that we experience quite significantly during holiday periods, as well as demonstrate additional law enforcement visibility.”
 
“To ensure road users are able to identify with and trust the support vehicles as legitimate response cars, they will be distinguishable by their blue lights and Europcar and IMPERIAL I-Pledge decals,” says Dawn Nathan-Jones, CEO of Europcar. “Helping improve road safety for South Africans is a real concern for us, which is why we donated these vehicles to the IMPERIAL I-Pledge initiative.”
 
Roux adds: “We are privileged to be part of this partnership, which aligns to our goals of providing safety, convenience and mobility to our customers and the opportunity to travel on a world class road.”
 
Cronje concludes: “Whether through the patrol to promote safer road user behaviour or medical assistance through ERMS or to accommodate post-crash needs, IMPERIAL I-Pledge and Europcar are committed to support the Concessionaires in making our roads safer for all who use them. We encourage all holiday goers to take extra care this holiday season and to look out for the IMPERIAL I-Pledge branded vehicles, if they require any assistance.”
 
How to take the I-Pledge
·         Visit www.ipledge.co.za <http://www.ipledge.co.za> and make your commitment to be safer and friendlier on our roads.

·         Keep updated and help advocate for safer, friendlier roads by following @IPledgeZA on Twitter and the I-Pledge South Africa on Facebook.