Norwegian road safety work has for decades been built on two pillars: training and sanctions. With Safedrive Reward, we get a third pillar in road safety work – rewards.
Bente Katrin Halvorsen was the winner of the Safedrive Reward of the month in July. In addition to receiving a prize of NOK 100,000, she also had the opportunity to donate up to NOK 100,000 to socially beneficial causes in the local community through the Tryggve Fund.
Bente was able to choose from a list of approved applications in her local area, and chose to support the Osterøy Red Cross and the gymnastics group in the Osterøy Sports Club.
“My children are involved in both the Children's Red Cross and the gymnastics group. We moved here last year, and thanks to them, they have gained a larger network and friends across schools,” she says.
The Children's Red Cross (BARK) on Osterøy offers free activities for children of primary school age.
– The activities are free for the participants, but that doesn't mean that it's free to run. That's why we really appreciate support like this. We want to develop our outdoor area further, and create even more meeting places for play, cooperation and safety, says activity manager Laila Marlen Blix.
– The people who will benefit from this are children of primary school age who we have activities with. We have an outdoor area where we want to have a few more activities and things they can do. We are still at the stage where the children are out cutting down trees so that we can make room for it. The prize money will also be used to create a really good Christmas party, she concludes with a smile.
For the gymnastics group in Osterøy IL, this means a lot.
– We have gradually become quite numerous, with around 70 gymnasts across the whole of Osterøy. We need more equipment and we have to replace the equipment that is over 20 years old. The need for upgrading is great. Now we can finally buy new equipment and invest in skills development and courses for our young coaches, says Lovise Mari Antun-Hopsdal, leader of the gymnastics group in Osterøy IL.
The local volunteers in Osterøy were delighted to receive funding from the Tryggve Fund and Safedrive. Mayor Lars Fjeldstad (right) was clear about how much such contributions mean for children and volunteering.
– I am very grateful on behalf of all of Osterøy. I know that the money that has been distributed will be used well and will yield good returns. 50,000 kroner given to local associations gives back an incredible amount of activity and good upbringing conditions, says Lars Fjeldstad, mayor of Osterøy municipality.
Bente says that Safedrive has changed the way she drives.
– I have a very bad reputation for driving too fast, and I have had some bad overtaking. But because of Safedrive it is easier for me to keep track of whether I am going over the speed limit. As a result, I have calmed down considerably and think a lot more about how I drive. I am very pleased that I am bringing up dangers that make you more careful.
July's Reward of the Month winner, Bente Katrin Halvorsen, here with Knut Ove Børseth from Safedrive. Bente chose to donate NOK 100,000 from the Tryggve Fund to good causes in the local community on Osterøy.
Safedrive Reward is a reward program for safe driving. Drivers with a green driving score are entered into monthly draws of NOK 100,000.
The Tryggve Fund allows the winner to distribute up to NOK 100,000 to good local causes. The fund supports ideas and initiatives that create safety and belonging in the local community, such as youth activities, traffic prevention, events and volunteer work.
Do you have a project, activity or idea that creates security and unity where you live? Then you can apply for support from the Tryggve Foundation.
