Cambodia Investment Review
Prudential Cambodia and Asia Injuries Prevention (AIP) Foundation, an international organization with mission to deliver effective interventions that improve road safety in low- and middle-income countries, are delighted to announce the outstanding results achieved through the collaborative efforts in the Road Safety Education Campaign.
The conclusion of the Safe Steps Road Safety programme was marked at the Prudential Head Office in Phnom Penh, with Prudential and the AIP Foundation announcing significant improvements in road safety education and behavior among students in Cambodia. The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MoPWT) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), has been active from 2022 to 2024.
The programme which is supported by the Prudence Foundation, Prudential’s community investment arm in Asia and Africa, focuses on enhancing road safety for students by providing necessary safety education, equipment, and making infrastructural improvements around schools. The reported results show a considerable advancement in the students’ understanding and behavior regarding road safety: the knowledge on road safety among over a third of students increased, while pedestrian safety behaviors improved by approximately thirty percent.
A Reduction In Student Fatalities & Injuries
There was a fifty percent increase in helmet usage among students, rising from twenty-one percent to seventy percent. Additionally, the number of schools with improved safety infrastructure witnessed notable growth, elevating their ratings from 2 Star to an impressive 2.8 Stars. Notably, there was a remarkable fifty percent reduction in student fatalities and injuries in Kampong Thom province and an approximate eight percent reduction in Kampot province. Specifically, Kampong Thom province greatly reduced fatalities and injuries among students at over seventy percent.
Read More: Prudential And AIP Foundation Partner To Make Roads Safer For 12,118 Students A Year
Her Excellency Min Meanvy, Secretary of State of MoPWT and General Secretary of National Road Safety Committee, acknowledged the programme’s effectiveness, stating, “The results from the SAFE STEPS Road Safety programme illustrate the significant impact of collaborative efforts on road safety. We remain dedicated to furthering these efforts to safeguard our community members, especially the younger ones.”
Nicole Ngeow, Director of Prudence Foundation, said, “SAFE STEPS Road Safety aims to raise awareness and provide easy-to-understand educational messages on road safety to help save and protect as many lives as possible. As road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults, our goal is to work with school communities to educate children from a young age the vital tips of road safety, as well as support activities that make the journey to schools much safer.
“We’re pleased to have the collaboration and support of AIP Foundation, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, in making such a positive impact in the community,” added Ms Ngeow.
Mr. Tola Ponlu, Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Cambodia, said,“By partnering with the AIP Foundation and receiving robust support from government agencies, we have managed to effect substantial positive change in road safety education and infrastructure. These improvements are vital, not only for reducing immediate risks but also for setting a foundation for safer road usage habits that will benefit our society for years to come.”
Combined Educational Efforts With Practical Interventions
The comprehensive approach of the programme, which combines educational efforts with practical interventions like helmet distribution and infrastructural enhancements, has been key to its success. These efforts have collectively improved the safety and well-being of students, educators, and families.
As the programme concludes, its ethos, ‘Today and Tomorrow, Cause No Traffic Accident,’ reinforces the ongoing dedication needed to maintain and enhance these gains. With the sustained involvement of Prudential, the AIP Foundation, and Cambodian authorities, the initiative is poised to make continued progress in ensuring the safety of Cambodia’s youth.
