Phnom Penh, Cambodia - 25 February – 27 February, 2019

Cambodia’s nationwide road crash surveillance system, the Road Crash and Victim Information System (RCVIS), found in 2018 that 45% of Cambodian road crash victims are between the ages of 15 to 29. The troubling statistic points to the vulnerability of youth as victims of road crash injuries and fatalities and their status as a high-priority target group for road crash prevention policies and programs.

In order to educate and empower university students to become passionate road safety advocates with the skills and knowledge to inspire their peers on the importance of road safety, AIP Foundation led a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to educate university educators on the importance of improving the driving behaviors of youth. The training workshop leverages a peer-to-peer education model, training educators to serve as positive road safety role models on their campuses and in their communities, thereby enabling them to train their students and other peers on safe road behaviors. The ToT program and its focus on youth empowerment is a key component of the Safety Deliveredprogram implemented by AIP Foundation and supported by The UPS Foundation.

Educators who participated in the workshop received a training manual, program guide, and toolkit, learning how to run educational activities and awareness campaigns in order to positively influence their students. The training was well-received within the community, with support from H.E Min Meanvy, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Secretary General of the National Road Safety Committee; H.E Him Yan, Deputy General of National Police; and H.E Yuk Gnoy, Secretary General of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

The training enabled participants to learn “through doing,” by practicing what makes a road safety ambassador engaging and effective. The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to learn about other participants’ exposure to road crash traumas, as well as deepen their knowledge about the reality of risks on the roads through creative games and exercises. On the second day, participants engaged in role plays, fake scenarios, and quizzes, under the theme of building a culture where road safety is a shared responsibility for the entire community.

Educators also discussed common risk factors of young people that can increase the threat of a road crash, including speeding, distracted driving, non-helmet use, and impairment due to the consumption of alcohol or drugs. Through group collaboration, participants explored strategies to avoid crashes and developed a personal plan to manage risky situations they might encounter on roads.

In order to become official “trainers”, educators also practiced acting as facilitators, to effectively promote conversations about road safety and inform their peers about safe road behaviors. On the final day, participants were required to complete assessments to receive their certificates of completion.

Safety Delivered is supported by The UPS Foundation and implemented by AIP Foundation in Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The program aims to reduce road crash injuries and fatalities among vulnerable motorcyclists by working with young drivers to improve their driving behaviors and by increasing child helmet use.