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Emergency Assist 991, an emergency medical assistance company and also a member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is hosting the second edition of the highly anticipated FIA International Best Young Driver Competition in Botswana. Held alongside other relevant stakeholders, the Best Young Drivers initiative seeks to promote road safety knowledge and skills among young licensed drivers aged between 18 and 26 years by, among others, testing their knowledge and skills that are essential to be a good driver. Commenting on the initiative, Emergency Assist 991 Road Safety Coordinator, Paul Setswe said; 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." According to Setswe, the initiative will in the long term, raise awareness on road safety among young drivers ‘and to put forward the message that young drivers can drive responsibly, safely and they can set a good example to both their peers and adults’ The applications for competition were officially launched on Friday 5th and will go on until 12 July 2024. 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, 2024. Applicants for the competition can access the application forms through a link on Emergency Assist 991 and EA991 Driving Academy Facebook pages. 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. Meanwhile, Setswe further disclosed that, participants serve as road safety ambassadors, mentoring future competitors and engaging in nationwide road safety campaigns. 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 Road Transport Services are key supporters of this years competition alongside the Society of Road Safety Ambassadors, a youth Non Government Organisation(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."