ID :
35835
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 14:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35835
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Helmet law reduces injuries: report
Hanoi (VNA) - The Government's mandatory helmet law implemented one year ago has
prevented thousands of serious injuries and saved over a thousand lives.
The National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) report revealed that as of the end of
October 2008, there were 1,400 fewer road traffic fatalities, and more than 2,200
fewer serious injuries compared to the same time last year.
"Thanks to the introduction of mandatory helmet laws, there are more people alive
today to enjoy time with their family and look forward to Tet celebrations," Dr.
JeanMarc Olive, WHO Representative in Vietnam, said.
WHO congratulates the policy makers, politicians and police officers involved in
this milestone for their commitment to improving the safety of Vietnam 's
motorcycle users, he added.
Last month, the Ministry of Public Security gave police the power to fine motorcycle
riders and passengers, who do not correctly fasten their helmets. If a helmet is not
fastened police will consider this "non-wearing," and the rider and or passenger can
be fined up to 200,000 VND (12 USD).
A survey by the Vietnam Consumer Safety Association in early 2008 found that 80
percent of helmets on the market did not meet national standards.
A decision by the Ministry of Science and Technology last month requires all
helmets, both home-made and imported, to be certified to comply with national
standards before they can be sold.
"Attention must now be turned to the vast numbers of Vietnamese children who do not
wear helmets when they are passengers on motorcycle," Olive said.
"Rather than causing harm to a child's neck as the myths and rumours suggest, many
needless road traffic injuries and deaths in children could have been prevented
through the correct and consistent use of property-fitting, good quality helmets,"
Dr Olive said.
Children under 16 years of age, or the adults that are responsible for them, cannot
be financially penalised for not wearing a helmet. Therefore, there is currently no
incentive for enforcement of helmet wearing in children.
WHO is working with the Government to develop a law that penalises adults who allow
children to ride motorcycles without proper helmet protection.
More than 95 percent of Vietnam 's 26 million vehicles are motorcycles, a figure
which is increasing by more than 9,000 new registrations each day. Associated with
this high exposure, an estimated 59 percent of all road traffic fatalities in
Vietnam involve motorcyclists.-Enditem
prevented thousands of serious injuries and saved over a thousand lives.
The National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) report revealed that as of the end of
October 2008, there were 1,400 fewer road traffic fatalities, and more than 2,200
fewer serious injuries compared to the same time last year.
"Thanks to the introduction of mandatory helmet laws, there are more people alive
today to enjoy time with their family and look forward to Tet celebrations," Dr.
JeanMarc Olive, WHO Representative in Vietnam, said.
WHO congratulates the policy makers, politicians and police officers involved in
this milestone for their commitment to improving the safety of Vietnam 's
motorcycle users, he added.
Last month, the Ministry of Public Security gave police the power to fine motorcycle
riders and passengers, who do not correctly fasten their helmets. If a helmet is not
fastened police will consider this "non-wearing," and the rider and or passenger can
be fined up to 200,000 VND (12 USD).
A survey by the Vietnam Consumer Safety Association in early 2008 found that 80
percent of helmets on the market did not meet national standards.
A decision by the Ministry of Science and Technology last month requires all
helmets, both home-made and imported, to be certified to comply with national
standards before they can be sold.
"Attention must now be turned to the vast numbers of Vietnamese children who do not
wear helmets when they are passengers on motorcycle," Olive said.
"Rather than causing harm to a child's neck as the myths and rumours suggest, many
needless road traffic injuries and deaths in children could have been prevented
through the correct and consistent use of property-fitting, good quality helmets,"
Dr Olive said.
Children under 16 years of age, or the adults that are responsible for them, cannot
be financially penalised for not wearing a helmet. Therefore, there is currently no
incentive for enforcement of helmet wearing in children.
WHO is working with the Government to develop a law that penalises adults who allow
children to ride motorcycles without proper helmet protection.
More than 95 percent of Vietnam 's 26 million vehicles are motorcycles, a figure
which is increasing by more than 9,000 new registrations each day. Associated with
this high exposure, an estimated 59 percent of all road traffic fatalities in
Vietnam involve motorcyclists.-Enditem
