In Cambodia, more people die from road injury than from Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Landmines/UXOs combined. 6 people die and 17 people are seriously injured on Cambodia's roads each day. This project provides the most vulnerable road users, children, with quality helmets, equips them with safety knowledge and skills, and engages them in innovative road safety activities. These interventions ensure that students always wear helmets on the road, allowing them to grow up to pursue their dreams.
A motorcycle is considered the family car in Cambodia. In 2014, road traffic crashes caused over 2,200 deaths and 13,000 injuries, costing the nation over 300 million USD, nearly 3 percent of its GDP. 73 percent of traffic fatalities in 2014 were motorcyclists, 69 percent of whom suffered head injuries. While there is a new Road Traffic Law that requires both motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets, drivers will still not be fined if their child passengers are caught without helmets.
Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent and death by 42 percent in a crash. However, just donating helmets does not necessarily instill proper helmet wearing habits. That is why this project also trains teachers and students in safe road behavior as well as raises awareness about road safety among the entire school community. By essentially making helmets part of the school uniform, many precious lives can be saved.
Cambodian children will be empowered to be safer, smarter road users who understand the importance of helmet use and road safety. These children will become role models in their schools and communities. The project will also encourage schools to establish road safety norms where all students must wear helmets on motorcycles or bicycles. In addition, the wider community will benefit from road safety awareness raising activities and carry safe road habits far beyond the duration of the project.
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