Helsinki 1 June 2010

On 1st June 2010, to mark the launch of the Finnish eSafety campaign, eSafety Challenge held a live demonstration of vital safe technologies featuring former World Rally Champion, Marcus Grönholm. eSafety Challenge worked in cooperation with the Finnish Automobile Club, Autoliito to organize the event which took place in the Helsinki city centre.

The event involved presentations from the Finnish Ministry of Transport, Anu Laurell, President of Autoliito, Pasi Nieminen, and finally, world-renowned driver and national icon, Marcus Grönholm. Speaking at the press conference, Grönholm, Ambassador to the Finnish eSafety campaign said, “Safety is the key priority in all motor races today. A huge effort is made to make the cars, driver equipment and truck, as safe as possible to avoid accidents. There is no reason why it shouldn’t be the same with private cars, on the streets where you and I drive every day”.

He went on to reiterate the importance of making these technologies more widely available, emphasising that they should be sought out by the consumer. “I hope that the campaign will help Finnish car buyers make the right choice next time they buy a new car”, he said, “they need to think safety before everything else”.

Grönholm, as well as journalists and members of the public, then tested out an ESC simulator. Members of the public had the opportunity to visit the eSafety truck, where they could get a more in depth understanding of the technologies and their benefits, and receive eSafety merchandise.

Subsequently, a demonstration of the Volvo S60’s “City Safe pedestrian detection system” by campaign Ambassador, Marcus Grönholm, took place in front of media and the public. The new Volvo S60’s system works under the same principal as an emergency braking system. On detecting an imminent collision with a pedestrian or vehicle, the system automatically applies the brakes, reducing reaction time and avoiding a preventable accident.