Cambodia - May 14, 2013

Phnom Dil and Sampov Meas primary schools in Kampong Cham and Phnom Penh are celebrating the United Nations’ second Global Road Safety Week with extracurricular road safety activities, as part of the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation’s Helmets for Kids program. Nearly 300 students, teachers, and parents will learn about the importance of wearing helmets correctly, how to cross the roads and walk safely, and other traffic safety topics through interactive games and contests.

Since 2012, ARRB Group, one of Australia’s most trusted advisors regarding road safety technical input, and Manulife (Cambodia) PLC, a Canada-based life insurance company, have donated  1,439 helmets to students, teachers, and parents at the two schools. Average helmet use rates across the schools, originally near zero, have increased to 84 percent.

This May the United Nations marks its second Global Road Safety Week in countless countries around the world to make roads safer for the most vulnerable among us. In support of the Week, NGOs around the world are participating in the ‘Long Short Walk’ campaign to advocate for the rights of pedestrians to be recognized on the road. AIP Foundation and other local walk organizers will contribute their photos and videos to be combined into one Long Walk, documenting the streets pedestrians travel all across the world.