Minister inspects helmet safety programme for children in Hanoi

The programme, scheduled for December 17-31, is offering helmet-wearing guidance and 35,000 helmet vouchers, each worth VND100,000 (US$4.3), to residents in An Giang, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen and Bac Ninh provinces, as well as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. 

The vouchers can be used in outlets authorized by Honda Vietnam across the country.  

At the inspection, the minister, who is also the permanent chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, joined the unit to handle violations, talk to violators about the benefits of wearing helmets for themselves and their children, and present vouchers to them.

The programme is part of activities within a campaign on presenting helmets to first grade children in the 2018-2019 school year that started in July. The campaign is coordinated by the National Traffic Safety Committee, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Japanese-invested Honda Vietnam. 

Statistics showed that only 35%-40% of children aged from six and above wear helmets, while the rate among adults is more than 90%. Many parents have not made their children wear helmets or just provided them with unsafe ones.