For the second year running, Emergency Assist 991, a locally based emergency response company, will host the Best Young Driver national competition, offering young drivers the chance to represent the country in Nevilles, Belgium. The competition, which debuted last year, is organized by Emergency Assist 991, an affiliate of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
The FIA, the global governing body of motorsport, chose Botswana and Kenya as the first African countries to host this event. Nearly 100 applicants are expected to compete, showcasing superior driving skills, emergency response abilities, and technical knowledge of cars. Paul Setswe, Road Safety Coordinator at Emergency Assist 991, highlighted the company's role as an FIA member. "Through our FIA membership, we are mandated to carry out road safety projects in collaboration with government and other stakeholders," Setswe explained.
"The International Best Young Driver Competition was introduced by the FIA in 2017, and last year, Botswana and Kenya became the first African countries to participate." Setswe emphasized the competition's aim to change young drivers' behavior through positive reinforcement. "We recognize and award young responsible drivers for good driving practices. This is a more positive way of changing behavior." To qualify, young drivers must have a valid driving license with no serious traffic offenses and be citizens of Botswana.
A valid passport is also required as the winners will compete internationally. Last year, out of 86 applicants, 50 were deemed eligible after a screening process, and from those, 14 finalists were selected—seven males and seven females. The winners competed at the international finals in Austria, with the male participant placing 10th out of 22. Participants move on to serve as road safety ambassadors, mentoring future competitors and engaging in nationwide road safety campaigns. This year, the competition will launch on July 5th, with applications open until July 12th.
The first 100 shortlisted applicants will be announced on July 19th, followed by an online theory test on July 26th. The finalists will be announced on July 31st, with the national finals set for August 10th at a venue to be confirmed. Winners will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Nevilles, Belgium, from October 4th to 6th. The format for this year's international finals has not yet been disclosed, but the national finals will follow a similar structure to last year. Despite being a new initiative, the competition has already had a positive impact, encouraging participants to maintain clean driving records for future opportunities.
Emergency Assist 991, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), and the Department of Transport and Road Safety are key supporters of this initiative, alongside the Society of Road Safety Ambassadors, a youth NGO. Setswe expressed optimism about the competition's long-term impact on youth driving behavior. "In other countries, drivers are incentivized to drive safely. This competition is a step towards recognizing and encouraging safe driving practices worldwide."
The FIA, the global governing body of motorsport, chose Botswana and Kenya as the first African countries to host this event. Nearly 100 applicants are expected to compete, showcasing superior driving skills, emergency response abilities, and technical knowledge of cars. Paul Setswe, Road Safety Coordinator at Emergency Assist 991, highlighted the company's role as an FIA member. "Through our FIA membership, we are mandated to carry out road safety projects in collaboration with government and other stakeholders," Setswe explained.
"The International Best Young Driver Competition was introduced by the FIA in 2017, and last year, Botswana and Kenya became the first African countries to participate." Setswe emphasized the competition's aim to change young drivers' behavior through positive reinforcement. "We recognize and award young responsible drivers for good driving practices. This is a more positive way of changing behavior." To qualify, young drivers must have a valid driving license with no serious traffic offenses and be citizens of Botswana.
A valid passport is also required as the winners will compete internationally. Last year, out of 86 applicants, 50 were deemed eligible after a screening process, and from those, 14 finalists were selected—seven males and seven females. The winners competed at the international finals in Austria, with the male participant placing 10th out of 22. Participants move on to serve as road safety ambassadors, mentoring future competitors and engaging in nationwide road safety campaigns. This year, the competition will launch on July 5th, with applications open until July 12th.
The first 100 shortlisted applicants will be announced on July 19th, followed by an online theory test on July 26th. The finalists will be announced on July 31st, with the national finals set for August 10th at a venue to be confirmed. Winners will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Nevilles, Belgium, from October 4th to 6th. The format for this year's international finals has not yet been disclosed, but the national finals will follow a similar structure to last year. Despite being a new initiative, the competition has already had a positive impact, encouraging participants to maintain clean driving records for future opportunities.
Emergency Assist 991, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA), and the Department of Transport and Road Safety are key supporters of this initiative, alongside the Society of Road Safety Ambassadors, a youth NGO. Setswe expressed optimism about the competition's long-term impact on youth driving behavior. "In other countries, drivers are incentivized to drive safely. This competition is a step towards recognizing and encouraging safe driving practices worldwide."
