Standard motorcycle helmet usage and its effect on road traffic safety in the two major cities of Vietnam

Abstract

The number and severity of road accidents in Vietnam is at alarming rate. From 2003, the Government has tried to improve traffic safety, therefore the number of accident and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the rate of death reduced suddenly. However, from the end of 2008, even though accident number decreasing, a number of TBI and deaths due to road crash are jumping up. This paper aims to analyze the reason of heavy injuries, TBI and deaths happening increased. The specific surveys were taken to motorcyclists, helmet market, traffic safety agencies and hospital in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Statistic method, integrated comparison, observation, expert interview survey and brainstorming method have been used in this study to analyze the problem. Then road safety situation, helmet usage, regulation and enforcement were analyzed. Base on these, proposal to improve road safety in the two major cities in Vietnam is going to be discussed.