Supported by The UPS Foundation, the competition strives to make each of the project’s 18 target communes safer with knowledgeable road users. AIP Foundation is using the competition as a platform to reduce road crash injuries and fatalities, supporting communes to make strong commitments to increase their community’s road safety skills, behaviours, and helmet use.

Communes are expected to be actively involved in order to spread helmet use awareness and increase helmet use rates. This includes the development of a well-functioning commune based road safety working group; an annual plan to improve motorcycle passenger helmet use; and the implementation of this plan with effectiveness and efficiency. The motorcycle passenger helmet wearing rate should also increase in communes corresponding with these implementations.

Communes can register for the competition through February. The competition will last over one year, after which 3 of the 18 communes will be selected as “Commune of Excellence” winners. Selection will be conducted by a Working Group consisting of representatives from National Road Safety Committee, National Police of Cambodia, the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development, National League of Communes/Sangkats, Plan International, Pact Cambodia, Department of Commune and District Administration Affair, Provincial Road Safety Committee, and AIP Foundation.  Final winners will be awarded a certificate, trophy, and a study tour to Thailand to learn more about road safety and passenger helmet awareness activities.

In attendance at today’s launch was H.E. Min Meanvy, Secretary of State of Transportation and Secretary General of the National Road Safety Committee; H.E Leng Vy, Under Secretary of State of Ministry of Interior and Vice Chairman of National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development; and a high representative from National Police of Cambodia.

“To win this competition, communes must show more initiative as well as find more effective measurements to encourage all people, in their communities and nationwide, to wear helmets whenever they are on motorcycle,” said H.E. Meanvy.

“Communes have a responsibility to ensure safety and public order. We encourage them to do so by acting promptly on road safety, and by including it in their long-term development plans,” said H.E Leng Vy. “This competition will act as a catalyst for life-saving road safety initiatives in communes, and ultimately lead to safer communities.”

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About AIP Foundation

 AIP Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing road injuries and fatalities in low- and middle-income countries. For more than 16 years AIP Foundation has been delivering effective road safety programs in locations across Asia and Africa. To find out more, visit www.aip-foundation.org or connect with us on Twitter @AIPFoundation.

 About the “Head Safe. Helmet On.” Project

 “Head Safe. Helmet On.” is a two-year project, sponsored by USAID-DIV with additional financial and in-kind support from the FIA Foundation/Road Safety Fund, The UPS Foundation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to increase passenger helmet use in Cambodia. AIP Foundation aims to improve nationwide helmet wearing awareness through the project by providing school children and teachers with quality helmets and road safety education, developing public awareness campaigns, and advocating for the enforcement of the passenger helmet law.  

For more information:

Pagna Kim, AIP Foundation Country Director, #18BEo, Street 348, Tuol Svay Prey I Commune, Chamka Morn District, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tel: +85 512 424 234; Email: pagna.kim@aipf-cambodia.org