A senior official at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport said that 90 per cent of the people killed in road traffic accidents were riding motorbikes – and 70 per cent of them were not wearing helmets.

Min Manavy, secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport – also the Secretary General of the National Road Safety Committee – made the remarks on April 8 during a meeting to investigate the possibility of providing good quality helmets to workers and children in Cambodia.

She said most people in Cambodia commute by motorbike, therefore wearing a good quality helmet is necessary to protect their heads should they have an accident.

“Currently, along with travelling by trucks – that sometimes do not follow safety standards – many workers use motorbikes for their daily commute. Although traffic laws require them to wear helmets, some of them do not respect this sensible rule and drive without them,” she said.

She added that many children also get driven to school by their parents, or help them with their businesses, without wearing helmets.

According to a National Police report, 493 people were killed in road accidents in the first quarter of this year. It said 403 were motorcyclists, and 297 of the fatalities were not wearing protection for their heads. A total of 784 others sustained serious injuries, while 478 suffered only light injuries.

In 2020, a total of 521 workers were killed in traffic accidents, and 113 children aged under 15 years were also killed, out of the total road toll of 1,798.

“I also recommend that before dispensing the helmets, we educate the public so they understand the law, and how this sensible measure is designed to protect them,” Manavy added.

Asia Injury Prevention Foundation country director Kim Pagna said that reducing the rate of traffic accidents remains a big challenge for Cambodia. Although the Kingdom has made good progress in its efforts, there is still a long way to go.

“The road toll has an alarming impact, especially on Cambodian children and factory workers. The garment and footwear sector currently employs about 800,000 people, all of whom are at risk while commuting,” he said.

He said in 2019, road traffic accidents killed 2,152 people, of whom 40 per cent were children and workers. Up to 70 per cent of the victims were those who travelled by motorbike without wearing helmets.

“The protection of our brain – and all parts of our head – especially in children, is of the highest importance. There is no medicine in the world that can treat a serious brain injury,” he added.