TẠP CHÍ ĐIỆN TỬ
Taking action for safer road travel
The Swedish Embassy has presented safety helmets to school children in Hanoi as part of efforts to raise awareness about wearing quality helmets while traveling by motorbike.
On November 21 in Hanoi, the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam in collaboration with the Cau Giay District People’s Committee in the capital delivered over 1,000 safety helmets to children attending the district’s Nam Trung Yen Primary School.
The event organizers called for a stronger public response to road safety and urged parents and adults in Vietnam to put helmets on their children whenever they travel by motorbike. This effort is also part of celebrations marking the 55th anniversary of Sweden - Vietnam diplomatic relations (1969-2024).
“Sweden is one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to road safety,” said H.E. Johan Ndisi, Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam. “From our practical experience, it is necessary for children to wear a helmet each and every time they travel on a motorcycle. Parents and adults must also be role models to their children and always wear helmets.”
The Vision Zero approach to road safety, which originates from Sweden, aims for no fatalities or serious injuries on roads. This holistic approach focuses on designing a transport system that accounts for human fallibility and ensures that mistakes do not lead to fatal consequences. The goal is to prevent any child from losing their life due to a road accident.
According to the World Health Organization and other sources, road traffic accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in Vietnam, with young children being particularly vulnerable. Road safety laws mandate the wearing of helmets for riders and passengers, but not all children comply.
Ambassador Ndisi also stressed that “motorcycles are the primary mode of transport in Hanoi and in Vietnam, and helmets can be a simple protection for both children and adults. In the case of a crash, a correctly-worn quality helmet can save a person’s life.”
Helmet wearing in Vietnam is high, but the wearing of non-standard helmets is quite concerning, as it can have the opposite effect if an accident occurs. Through such activities, the Embassy aims to raise awareness and end top the sale of low-quality helmets, to ensure the safety of the Vietnamese people, especially children.
The 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations is supported by Swedish multinational companies such as Polarium, Hetra, AstraZeneca, IKEA, Tetra Pak, ABB, Ericsson, Electrolux, Niteco, Atlas Copco, Oriflame, SKF, Volvo, and Hitachi Energy, all of whom want to contribute to making tomorrow safer for children in Vietnam.
In light of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which is a UN day held on the third Sunday of November each year, it is a timely reminder of the importance of our efforts to protect our children and prevent future tragedies. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s work hand in hand to create safer roads for our children.
