The development and implementation of mandatory motorcycle helmet legislation in Vietnam

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in Vietnam with 11 243 deaths and 7771 serious injuries on the roads in 2008, of which an estimated 60% of deaths occurred in motorcycle riders and passengers. Motorcycles represent 95% of Vietnam's 27 million registered vehicles. In recognition of this problem, Vietnam has had partial motorcycle helmet legislation since 1995, however for a variety of reasons, implementation and enforcement have been limited. On 29 June 2007, Vietnam introduced the first universal mandatory helmet law. Taking effect on 15 December 2007, this legislation covered all riders and passengers on all roads. Penalties were increased tenfold and cohorts of police were mobilised for enforcement. Despite past barriers to enforcement, prioritisation within traffic police resulted in 680 000 infringements being issued for non-wearing in 2008. In selected provinces, helmet wearing increased significantly in the first 6 months of the helmet law. In Danang, for example, increasing from 27% to 99%. Preliminary data from 20 hospitals indicated that the risk of head injuries and deaths decreased by 16% and 18%, respectively; in the 3 months after the helmet law was introduced. Vietnam has a long history of limited effectiveness in helmet legislation. However, through political leadership, advance public education and stringent enforcement from the day the legislation took effect, reductions in head injuries and deaths are evident. Continual monitoring the implementation of the legislation has identified loopholes detrimental to the effectiveness of the law which have subsequently either have been or are being addressed.