The need for building role models for motorcycle riders' education in the kingdom of Cambodia

Abstract

In Cambodia, a rider's license is not required for motorcycles below 125 cc. and 73% of traffic accident fatalities among persons aged 15–19 years involve unlicensed riders. Motorcycle riding differs from automobile driving in that motorcycle riding reflects the rider's skill to a much greater degree, so unskilled riding is much more highly correlated with accidents. Going forward, in addition to gaining knowledge from traffic safety education, motorcycle riders should also learn basic specific motorcycle techniques. In particular, having riders learn and practice the three key tasks in motorcycle riding (breaking, leaning, and exiting) is effective at curbing the number of motorcycle accidents. In a new initiative aimed at improving riding skill, university students, instructors, and police officers were given practical riding instruction on a course using pylons. Program participants were able to learn riding techniques in an enjoyable setting, while seeing the potential for becoming motorcycle riding role models. Keywords: Motorcycles, Driving skills, Practical training, Role models, Education