Over 120,000 helmets presented to primary school students in Ho Chi Minh City

Leaders from the participating organizations present helmets to students at Giong Ong To Primary School (Photo: SGGP)

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Thanh Loi, Deputy Chief of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Safety Committee, emphasized the significance of the initiative in promoting public awareness of the importance of ensuring that children wear helmets. He particularly called on parents to take greater responsibility in ensuring their children wear helmets to contribute to safer traffic participation.

According to Mr. Loi, the helmet-wearing rate among children aged 6 to 15 in the city has increased from 40% in 2017 to nearly 75%. Wearing helmets while riding motorcycles, motorbikes and electric bicycles has become a common habit and a cultural norm in Ho Chi Minh City. Specifically, 120,465 students in the city received helmets as part of this program.

He urged relevant organizations to intensify efforts to educate the public about the mandatory use of helmets when riding motorcycles, motorbikes or electric bicycles. This includes promoting the use of certified helmets and ensuring they are worn correctly by children and students.

Additionally, he called for increased patrols and educational campaigns to remind and encourage compliance with traffic safety regulations among parents, students and university students. Strict penalties should be imposed for failing to wear helmets while participating in traffic. Schools should also require parents to sign commitments to adhere to helmet-wearing rules when transporting their children to school on motorcycles, motorbikes or electric bicycles./.