Tuesday, 13 January 2009

It's the law

Sue and I arrived back in Cambodia last Friday. The first thing that struck us was ... helmets!


In Cambodia, the masses move by motorbike. We were aware that a law change was coming into effect on January 1 - that helmets were to become compulsory. But, this is Cambodia and laws are often as optional as stopping at a red traffic light ...

But lo - helmets are now everywhere. On main drags, compliance would have to be in the 70% realm. On back streets we are still tracking at over 50% - a phenomenal change from the perhaps 5% of helmeted motorcyclists of just two weeks ago.


I know that this shop was not here last time I passed by a couple of weeks ago

Another spin-off is the blossoming of motorcycle helmet shops. They have sprouted up all over the city. It would be good news indeed if this law takes root and the horrendous motorcycle injury rate here starts to move downwards..

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