This week, 4-10 May, is the Third United Nation’s Global Road Safety Week. The campaign for this year’s UN Global Road Safety Week is called #SaveKidsLives in accordance with the theme “Children and Road Safety.” #SaveKidsLives seeks to highlight the plight of children on the world’s roads and calls for leaders to take action addressing road safety and its inclusion in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Today in support of UN Global Road Safety Week, 96 new entrance students received helmets as part of a ceremony organized by AIP Foundation with support from Manulife (Cambodia) Plc. The event took place at Sampov Meas Primary School and focused on raising students’ awareness of safe road behaviors while calling on authorities to commit to safer roads for children.

Representatives from the Department of Education Youth and Sport in Phnom Penh, National Road Safety Committee (NRSC), General Commissariat of National Police, and Manulife attended the event as special guests, along with students, parents, and school representatives.

“According to the Road Crash and Victim Information System, Phnom Penh had the highest number of road crash fatalities across all provinces, accounting for about 15%,” stated Prum Vantha from National Road Safety Committee. “Children and youth are among the most vulnerable in road crashes. We recommend that traffic law enforcement is strengthened and road safety knowledge is promoted through public awareness campaigns and education.”

“Our goal is to help provide a better future for Cambodian children and families. Education about road safety is crucial   for the protection of the children and their families. And I believe that our donation along with the road safety activities will result in a community of safer and smarter road users,” said Mr. Robert Elliott, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia.

Read the press release here.