The initiative, modeled after the FIA’s toolkit for child safety in cars, is supported by the FIA Road Safety Grant Programme, and advocates for child seatbelt use and car seats to be included in Vietnamese law. The launch event was held during the 5^th United Nations Global Road Safety Week, attended by 800 primary school students and teachers.

Following the kick-off ceremony, over 70 parents were educated on the importance of using seatbelts and child car seats at a workshop held at the school. Professor Le Huy Tri, Vice President of Road Safety Research Center and the People’s Police Academy, supported the workshop’s organization. Parents learned how to use and install car seats, as well as other information and tips to stay safe when transporting children by car.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road crashes in Vietnam cause an estimated 24,970 fatalities and more than 499,400 injuries each year. Children are particularly vulnerable: 1,900 children perish on Vietnam’s roads each year. Road crashes are the second leading cause of death for Vietnamese children between the ages of 5 and 14. WHO reports that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death among drivers and front seat occupants by 45-50% and the risk of death and serious injuries among rear seat occupants by 25%.

In addition to parent training workshops and government advocacy, AIP Foundation and AA Vietnam will implement a public awareness campaign on social media and install a series of billboards in busy traffic areas around Hanoi. The campaign will reach an estimated 80,000 people.

More photos available here.