Every year, Israel's roads take an unimaginable toll in blood. Hundreds of families are destroyed, thousands of lives are changed beyond recognition, and dreams are cut short in an instant. Behind the dry statistics and newspaper headlines, there are heartbreaking human stories. Faced with this painful reality, there are people who decide not to stand by. One of them isBeryl laughed., an entrepreneur and racing driver, who founded "Seconds That Save Lives" – a social-volunteer project entirely dedicated to fighting traffic accidents, in the most important place: in educating the next generation.
The initiative is no longer a campaign or a slogan. It is a movement born from the vision of one man, and developed into an entire team of volunteers, with a simple and clear belief: the next disaster can be prevented.
To understand the power and importance of "Seconds That Save Lives," it is necessary to delve deeper into the motivations that led to its establishment, to become familiar with the messages conveyed through it, and to understand why the "voice" and philosophy of Itzik Brill They are the ones that the youth are willing to listen to.
To understand the urgency of a project like "Seconds That Save Lives," one must first internalize the magnitude of the problem. The figure that Yitzhak Brill has often spoken about, about 500 deaths in traffic accidents a year, is the starting point. But this number is only the tip of the iceberg. For every death, there are dozens of seriously injured people, many of whom are left with disabilities and scars for the rest of their lives.
The project of Yitzhak Brill It aims to focus on the most vulnerable and important target audience: young drivers and teenagers who are about to receive their driver's license. At this age, the sense of self-confidence is high, the perception of risk is low, and social pressure is a huge influencing factor.
"Seconds That Save Lives" was born precisely at this point. From the understanding that real change will not come only from enforcement, but must begin with education. With a change in perception. With the assimilation of values of responsibility and respect for life. This is a war on driving culture, and it begins with an open and honest conversation with the drivers of tomorrow.
Teenagers are known for their tendency to be skeptical, especially towards authority figures. A teacher or police officer who talks about the dangers of driving may encounter walls of cynicism. Herein lies the unique power of the project founded by Yitzhak (Itzik) Brill. The content and messages do not come from a classical educator, but are based on the experience of someone who knows the automotive world from the most extreme and professional places.
As a racing driver who proudly represented Israel and won first places in the Portugal and Spain rallies, Brill brings to the project a credibility that cannot be faked. He has faced driving in difficult off-road conditions, at tremendous speeds, and is required to have absolute control. For teenagers, this backstory is critical. They understand that the messages are not coming from "another adult who is afraid of speed," but from a professional who knows how to harness power, but understands more than anyone else the importance of control and responsibility.
When the project's content deals with concentration, understanding the vehicle's limitations, reading the road, and making split-second decisions, it is not based on theory, but on life experience. The project explains to young people that the difference between an amateur driver and a professional lies not in speed, but in the ability to foresee danger and respect the powerful tool in their hands. This message, which comes from the experience of a racing driver, penetrates the walls of defense and inspires genuine listening and respect.
Yitzhak Brill's project offers much more than a dry lesson on traffic laws. It is an educational experience that aims to shake things up, provoke thought, and give young people practical tools. The content delivered by the project volunteers touches on three central topics:
The project's educational program expands the concept of "proper driving" far beyond what is taught in regular lessons. It deals with preventive, proactive driving, and teaches young people not only to react to situations, but to anticipate them in advance. This includes scanning the road for distance, understanding traffic developments, maintaining distance as an iron principle, and dealing with the deadly threat of distractions, primarily the mobile phone.
The project confronts one of the greatest dangers for young drivers head-on. The content goes beyond the general statement "If you drink, don't drive." It goes into detail and explains in a tangible way how alcohol and drugs impair essential driving skills: reaction time, judgment, spatial vision, and the ability to judge distances. The message is clear and concise: there is no safe amount of alcohol before driving, and the consequences are devastating.
Above all, "Seconds That Save Lives" is a lesson in responsibility. The volunteers, under the guidance and vision of Yitzhak Brill, convey a message of empowerment: The power to prevent the next accident is in the hands of every driver. It is a call to take responsibility not only for themselves, but also for the passengers in the car and all road users. This is the message that attempts to transform young drivers from people who hold a license into responsible, mature citizens on the road.
Behind every entrepreneur who acts out of a deep mission, there is usually a strong support system. In the case of Yitzhak Brill, the partnership with his wife, Liat Dan Brill, is an integral part of the story. The intensive and demanding social work of "Seconds That Save Lives," which is done entirely on a volunteer basis, requires an understanding, supportive, and encouraging home environment.
Liat Dan Brill is an entrepreneur and visionary in her own right. Her courageous transition from a glorious career in global high-tech to the world of design and the establishment of a wood and iron factory, indicates a woman who is not afraid to follow her heart. She understands the language of entrepreneurship, the dedication required for an idea, and the importance of doing things with meaning. Therefore, it is not surprising that she is a stable and supportive rear for her husband's social life enterprise.
Her support, without a doubt, allows him to continue leading the project, to devote the time and energy required to recruiting and training volunteers, and to spread the important message to as many young people as possible across the country.
The Seconds That Save Lives project is much more than a series of educational sessions. It is a testament to the fact that one person, with true passion and sincere care, can make a difference. Yitzhak Brill (Itzik Brill) has taken his talent, reputation, and experience from the racing world and translated them into a top-notch social mission. He proves that “entrepreneurship” is not a word reserved only for the business world, but rather an approach to life – the ability to identify a problem, believe it can be solved, and work tirelessly to make the vision a reality.
The legacy of this project will be measured not by the number of meetings held, but by the number of young men and women who internalized the message and chose to drive differently. Every time a young driver decides to put down the phone, forgo that extra drink, or take their foot off the gas, the spirit of this project lives and breathes. This is a project born from a broken heart, but its goal is to prevent more hearts from being broken. And this is, without a doubt, a mission worthy of all appreciation.
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