Donated more than 1,000 helmets to students

(NLDO) - The Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi, in coordination with the People's Committee of Cau Giay and the Department of Education and Training of Cau Giay, has donated more than 1,000 helmets to students.

At the event held on the afternoon of November 21 at Nam Trung Yen Primary School, Cau Giay District, Hanoi , the organizers called for a strong response from the community, parents and adults in Vietnam to always wear helmets for their children when participating in traffic by motorbike and electric bicycle.

Trao tặng hơn 1.000 mũ bảo hiểm cho học sinh- Ảnh 1. — Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi presents helmets to students. Photo: Embassy

This activity is part of a series of events celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Vietnam (1969-2024).

In his opening remarks, Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi said: "Sweden is one of the world's leading countries in road safety. Vision Zero, with its goal of zero deaths and serious injuries, has achieved many successful results because it has created momentum to move from policy and vision into concrete actions. When an accident occurs, the human body can only withstand a certain amount of external force, and children's bodies are weaker than adults'. That is why it is so important for children to wear helmets when riding motorbikes or electric bicycles. Parents and adults also need to set an example by always wearing helmets when participating in traffic."

The Vision Zero approach to road safety, which originated in Sweden, aims for zero deaths or serious injuries on the roads. The programme focuses on designing transport systems to accommodate human vulnerability and ensure that even if a mistake is made, it does not result in a fatal outcome. The aim is to prevent any child from being killed in a road accident.

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury in Vietnam, especially for young children. Traffic safety laws require helmets for drivers and passengers on motorbikes, but do not require children under the age of 6 to comply. The use of substandard helmets is a concern because it can cause adverse effects in the event of an accident.

The Swedish Embassy wants to raise awareness and promote the proper use of helmets to ensure the safety of Vietnamese people, especially children.

Ambassador Johan Ndisi added: "Motorbikes are the main means of transport in Hanoi and across Vietnam, and helmets are a simple but very important and effective protection for both children and adults. In the event of an accident, wearing a quality and properly fitted helmet can save lives. We are delighted to have the cooperation of Swedish multinational companies such as ABB, AstraZeneca, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, Ericsson, Hestra, Hitachi Energy, IKEA, Niteco, Oriflame, Polarium, SKF, Tetra Pak and Volvo to collectively contribute to a safer future for Vietnamese children."

In Vietnam, motorcycle accidents remain a concern, with high fatality and injury rates. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents aged 5 to 29. In the first half of 2024, Vietnam recorded more than 12,300 traffic accidents, an increase of nearly 1,850 cases compared to the previous year.

Most accidents occur on the roads, with many serious accidents recorded. The National Traffic Safety Committee estimates that Vietnam loses about $4.9 billion each year due to traffic accidents.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a United Nations international day of action in November, is a timely reminder of the importance of our efforts to protect children and prevent future tragedies. We can make a difference, and let’s work together to create safer roads for our children – our future.

Some photos taken at the event: