Whether on the way to school, by bike or as pedestrians - children are exposed to particular risks in road traffic. MobileKids has been running interactive programmes around the world for years to teach them important traffic rules and safe behaviour in a fun way. This is also the case in Hungary, India and the USA. Three countries, three different approaches - but one common goal: greater safety for our youngest.
Hungary Roadshow with Moki
We start in Hungary, more precisely in the Mercedes-Benz city of Kecskemét. MobileKids was on the road there in 2024 with a special roadshow. A number of children were made aware of the issue of road safety with the help of an interactive programme. The tour included five primary schools in the area around the city, which mainly cater for children from socially disadvantaged families or with special needs.
At interactive stations, the children learnt how to get to school safely, how to cross streets, how to be particularly visible to other road users and what to look out for when cycling to avoid dangerous situations. The pupils were then able to put what they had learnt into practice during a traffic exercise.
Particularly nice: The MobileKids mascot Moki was there in person and presented each child with their own safety pack.
But the MobileKids mission in Hungary is far from over. The roadshow will continue in 2025, again focussing on schools with children in need around Kecskemét.
India: Making routes to school safer
In India, MobileKids has already reached over 60,000 pupils since 2018 - primarily in the cities of Bengaluru and Pune. Designed with interactive volunteering opportunities, over 1000 MBRDI employees till date have taught the children how to protect themselves from potential dangers in busy traffic and become responsible road users.
Road safety plays a particularly important role in India. In 2020, MBRDI commissioned India’s first nationwide study to analyse safe commute to school. The result: many children in India pass risky traffic spots every day, often without safe crossings or clear traffic rules. To change this, Mercedes-Benz has expanded its commitment to the road safety initiative.
Last year, 75 schools in Bengaluru and Pune were intensively involved in the programme Impacting 10,000 students. The MobileKids bus, fitted out with over 15+ safety features conducted roadshows across these schools, showcasing the need to adopt stringent safety measures. MobileKids not only aims to impart knowledge but is also committed to making children's journeys to school safer in the long term.
USA: On a road safety tour with Clifford
We switch to the other side of the big pond: to the USA. Mercedes-Benz USA is committed to empowering the next generation through its corporate social responsibility mission called “Driving Your Future.” Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with "Safe Kids Worldwide," a non-profit organisation is committed to the safety of children and young people all over the world.
A real highlight was on the programme in 2024 as part of the initiative: The "Clifford Takes a Ride" tour. The Clifford Takes a Ride Tour visited four cities via a custom wrapped Sprinter van. The Tour visited YMCA camps four cities - Atlanta, GA - Jacksonville, FL – Coppell, TX - and Hamilton Township, NJ. Right in the middle of it: Clifford, the big red dog from the popular children's books and the Clifford Takes a Ride book, especially written on the subject of road safety by MBUSA and Safe Kids Worldwide.
The tour kicked off at a very special location: the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Over 500 children from local YMCA nonprofit gathered there to learn from a real star guest - Matt Ryan, former American football professional and brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz USA. Together with Clifford the Big Red Dog, Ryan read from "Clifford Takes a Ride" and imparted important safety tips. Afterwards, the children were able to apply their knowledge directly at interactive safety learning stations.
In addition to having lots of fun, the children were also given practical tools: Over 30,000 books were distributed along with safety kits with reflective accessories, cycle helmets and learning books were distributed to almost 26,000 families. In addition, numerous Mercedes-Benz dealers in 21 states got involved by providing lots of Clifford learning materials.
Road safety for all
Be it with a giant red dog in the USA, as a school project in India or with an interactive roadshow in Hungary - MobileKids makes children around the world fit for road traffic. Because the safety of our youngest is dear to our hearts.
