Road safety

In 2000, the «physiotherapy» project team in Laos noted that 80% of the patients in need of rehabilitation treatment were road accident victims. In the light ofthis observation, Handicap International has decided to launch its first actions to increase people‘s awareness with regard to road safety. Various surveys conducted in early 2000 by Handicap International or other organizations will be used to highlight the fact that road accidents constitute one of the major causes of disability.

Road safety has therefore become an important issue among the prevention activities undertaken by Handicap International in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and also in Benin. More specifically, these actions maytake the form of road safety classes, raising the awareness of the general public - particularly with regard to wearing helmets, establishing a first aid system at the scene of an accident and support for the authorities.