Cambodia - January 10, 2013

On January 10th, Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation announced a new range of activities to increase helmet use among motorcycle passengers, of whom only 7% wear helmets on Cambodia’s roads.

At the launch, AIP Foundation called on local government ministries, institutions, and media agencies to join in efforts to increase helmet use. 24 stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, and international community have signed a joint statement of support appealing to the Government to pass comprehensive legislation; the media to promote helmet use and safe road behavior through all mediums; the private sector to develop internal policy to encourage their staff to respect traffic laws; and motorcyclists to wear helmets and share the message with their families.

In the next phase of activities, AIP Foundation will expand its public awareness campaign encouraging passenger helmet use on television, radio, billboards, and print. This will be complemented by helmet donations and traffic safety education for students and teachers at five high-risk schools, supported by the UPS Foundation, Manulife, and ARRB.

New initiatives also encourage government action through technical support and helmet donations to the traffic police, as well as legislative advocacy. A revision of traffic regulations – which would expand mandatory helmet use to adult and child passengers – was drafted and is under review by the Council of Ministers. AIP Foundation is appealing to the government for swift enactment of the draft law, an action which is supported by 98% of the Cambodian public.