KANDAL Province, Cambodia - January 14, 2013

On January 11, 2013, Hun Sen Prek Russey Primary School in Takhmao City, Kandal Province and the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation will host a kick-off ceremony to launch the Helmets for Kids (HFK) initiative sponsored by The UPS Foundation for 2,887 students and teachers at three schools in Kandal and Kampong Speu provinces. Road traffic crashes continue to be one of the most fatal and costly public health problems in Cambodia, causing 1,905 deaths and 5,807 severe injuries in 2011. Motorcycle helmets proven to reduce the risk of death by 42% and serious injury by 69% in case of a crash. A revision of traffic regulations, which would expand mandatory helmet use to adult and child passengers, is currently under review and, if approved, expected to go into effect next year. Hun Sen Prek Russey, Kor Ki, and War Sor primary schools, receiving support from UPS and Helmets for Kids, are located in close proximity to high-risk roads, yet student helmet wearing rates are low.