Vietnam - March 23, 2015

In support of the new Road Traffic Law, primary schools across Kampong Speu, Kandal, and Phnom Penh Provinces are taking part in a new initiative to encourage helmet use in and around school communities. Launching today, the two-year “School of Excellence in Helmet Use” project allows schools to compete for the title of “Road Safety Champions” by making outstanding efforts in promoting helmet use. Upon completion, three winning schools will be awarded with a study tour to Vietnam to discuss best practices in school-based road safety initiatives.

AIP Foundation, with support from The UPS Foundation, is launching the competition in 18 target schools to promote both the new Road Traffic Law and the announcement made by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports encouraging schools to promote road safety. With this new initiative, AIP Foundation aims to see schools increase efforts in promoting road safety activities—especially helmet use.

At the end of the second academic year, School of Excellence awards will be presented based on schools’ ability to:

• Raise awareness of road safety, with a focus on helmet use for child motorcycle passengers
• Develop meaningful connections with students and parents from local primary schools
• Reward participants for displaying safe road behaviors, including passenger helmet use
• Increase participation from students, teachers, local authorities, and the community
• Increase helmet wearing rate among students and parents in your school