Thanks to our Helmets for Families program implementation this year, both the average helmet-use rates among students and the percentage of parents and students wearing quality helmets have increased dramatically. Average helmet-use rates among students increased from 62% to 77% at our four schools in the Hoc Mon district of Ho Chi Minh City and from 18% to 90% at the two new target schools in Cu Chi district that were added to the program this school year. Observations were conducted using our rigorous helmet observation methodology developed in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that utilizes strategic filming of traffic flows. These positive results can be attributed to road safety education conducted both inside and outside of the classroom, helmet distribution, and school policy enforcement.

For measurements on the quality of helmets being worn by students and parents, it was found that of all helmets checked, the percentage of parents’ helmets that meet national safety standards increased from 25% to 57% and the percentage of students’ helmets that meet national standards increased from 35% to 98%. These data points were calculated through random interviews of 181 parents at the gates of Tan Phu Trung and Tan Thanh Dong schools in January 2018 (baseline) and 207 parents in March 2018 (post implementation). Program intervention activities included parent trainings and helmet exchanges to replace substandard helmets with quality, new ones.

Helmets for Families, which recently celebrated its fifth year of implementation, is supported by the global healthcare company Abbott and implemented by AIP Foundation, the National Traffic Safety Committee, Ministry of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Safety Committee, and the Department of Education and Training.