HÀ NỘI — High school students are involved in 90 per cent of child-related traffic accidents in Hà Nội, both as drivers of motorbikes and bicycles, and victims.

Another 10 per cent are smaller children driven or carried by adults, according to a study sponsored by the National Committee for Road Safety and the Việt Nam Association of Motorbike Manufacturers (VAMM).

Results of the study conducted last year and received responses from 2,390 high school students were revealed on Wednesday.

As many as 67 per cent of them said that under the age of 15, they walked or rode a bike to school. Once they entered high school, 52 per cent of students surveyed said they now drive electrical bikes or electrical motorbikes to school.

About 106,440 electrical bikes and 100,582 electrical motorbikes are reportedly available to families of high school students in Hà Nội.

Most of the students said that they learnt driving from their parents, and 27 per cent said they were not taught driving skills at schools. Schools are only obliged to provide theoretical road safety lessons.

Reports by police and the students’ feedback indicate that most traffic accidents by high school students are the result of speeding, driving in wrong lanes or careless driving.

Vice head of National Committee for Road Safety, Khuất Việt Hùng, said high school students were vulnerable to traffic accidents because of their modest skills and awareness. He said it was important to help them better their driving skills.

On Wednesday, the committee and VAMM signed a co-operation agreement on road safety, the third such agreement between the two organisations.

This year, the VAMM committed to fund a research study on the current and future role of motorbikes in Việt Nam, expecting to offer recommendations on safe use of motorbikes. — VNS