Enforcing Helmet Safety
Phong Le, AIP Foundation
05-07 December 2023

CONTENTS
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•••
•
•

Overview
Helmet Policy Evolution
Legal gaps
Ongoing efforts to fill in the gaps
Challenges
Way forwardWHERE WE WORKIndia
Myanmar

ABOUT USAIP Foundation is a
non-profit organization
dedicated to reducing roadtraffic fatalities and injuries
in low-and middle-income
countries.

VietnamThailandCambodia
Philippines

VIETNAM
TODAY

97 million
population

Source: World Bank I World Health Organization

Among fastest
growing economy
in the world
Fastest growing
in Asia last year

70 million
two- and threewheelers

24,970499,400

annual roadtraffic fatalities

annual roadtraffic injuries

HELMET LAWS EVOLUTION
Resolution 2/ 2 March
2001 Helmet wearing iscompulsory for all
motorcyclists on regulatedroads, and there is no fines.

BeforeVIETNAM NATIONALHELMET LAW
15 DECEMBER 2007
After

Decree 36/ 29 May 1995
Helmet legislation is introduced– but no fines instituted for noncompliance.
Decree 39/ 13 July 2001
Fines of 20,000 VND (USD1.33)
are introduced. Failing to deter
people from breaking the law.
Decree 152/ 15 December
2005 Penalties for non-helmet
use on highways increased (upto 3.3 USD) + offenders
motorcycle confiscated.
The impact is still limited.

HELMET LAW LONG TERM IMPACT - 2007 – 2017

Source: Various helmet observation studies

LEGAL GAPS - Child helmet use• No mandatory regulation on thehelmet use for children under 6years old.
• No penalties for adults carrying
children under 6 years old withoutwearing helmets on motorbikes

LEGAL GAPS - Helmet quality

Helmet quality

No enforcement on substandard helmets
A 2020 study conducted by AIP Foundation inVietnam found that of 540 surveyed helmets…
• 89.5% of tested helmets were substandard• 21% of child helmets collected were capstyle helmets• 40% of child helmets had been used for >3
years

Half-face helmet splits in half during impact testing, despite passing all
weight, size, and parts tests.

OUR ONGOING EFFORTS – 5 RISK FACTORS ADVOCACY
Speed

Max speed limits exist but some do not meet international best practices.
Expected to be addressed in the ongoing to legislative process.

Drink Driving

Zero tolerance in the law. Enforcement needs to be strengthened.
Higher penalty for higher BAC level recommended under consideration.

Helmet•••Developing standards for helmets for children under 06 years old.
Strengthening regulation of production and sale of motorcycle and bicycle
standard helmets
Strong enforcement

Seat Belt

Not required for rear seat passenger.
Recommendations to meet best practice under consideration.

Child Restraints

No CRS required. Children allowed in front seats.
Recommendations to meet best practice under consideration.

OUR ONGOING EFFORTS – HELMETS DELIVERY FOR CHILDREN & PUBLIC
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN/ EDUCATIONOUR ONGOING EFFORTS – HELMETS DELIVERY FOR CHILDREN & PUBLIC
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN/EDUCATIONOUR ONGOING EFFORTS – QUALITY HELMETS• Protec works with the FIA Foundation to develop a new ECE-22.05
helmet model• Piloted ECE-22.05 helmets were in 3 high schools in Hanoi, 1 school in
HCMC (distribution to 1,640 helmets to 12th-grade students and teachers)

CHALLENGES- Regulation and enforcement on quality helmet use.
- Helmet standards for children below 6 years oldLESSONS LEARNED
Multi-facet approach is key for the success:- Policy advocacy at a national level- Standard helmet delivery and education at local level- Advocating for public support/ PAC is important

WAY FORWARD• Continuing multi-facet approach

For Children helmet:• Advocating for children helmet standard and regulation
Quality Helmet• Using scientific evidence to back policy advocacy: data on
helmets related road traumas• Advocating for public awareness and support (not just thewith the government agency)• Clear role and responsibility definition among enforcement
agencyTHANK YOU!
Phong LeCountry Manager,
Vietnam Country Program,
AIP Foundation
phong.le@aipf-vietnam.org
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