Thread by @Ses_Aronsakda

Welcome to my neighborhood. In just the past few months, I have counted at least 3 people losing their lives on Hanoi Boulevard. The most recent one was just a couple of weeks ago. All deaths occurred at intersections.

At six lanes wide, Hanoi Boulevard is designed for maximum vehicle speed and volume. Yet is placed in a complex urban context, with stores, schools, houses, markets, and factories flanking its route. This is why roads such as this are so deadly.

Speed kills. A road designed for speed kills, whether road users wore a helmet or not. A street designed with safety in mind actively addresses vehicle speed and has multiple layers of features to prevent and mitigate crashes.

https://twitter.com/Ses_Aronsakda/status/1546717458056114176

Attention is needed in crafting #Roadsafety policy, which prioritizes safe road design, encourages public transit usage, and examines every deadly crash for the root causes (road conditions, vechile size) rather than placing blame entirely on individuals.

Such an approach has proven far more effective than public awareness and education campaigns. With Finland significantly reducing traffic fatalities, losing only 4 per 100,000 people in 2021 nationwide. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

It is, therefore, disappointing that @JeanTodt, after visiting Cambodia and neighbouring countries as the @UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for #Roadsafety, mostly highlights motorcyclists for not wearing helmets.

https://twitter.com/JeanTodt/status/1596142223489642497

Likewise, @UNDPCambodia's otherwise excellent report on #RoadAccident in #Cambodia recommended road safety campaigns and behaviour measures. Which is nowhere near as effective as we believe them to be and should not be the only solution.

@JeanTodt @UNDPCambodia @UNCambodia I am sorry to remind you that no helmet would've save the lady from being crushed by a cement truck as happened 3 weeks ago, nor saved the man who waited patiently at the stop light, but was ploughed from behind by a speeding car.

@JeanTodt @UNDPCambodia We should ask what can be done to physically slow vehicles and prevent reckless driving? What can be done to engender vigilance for all users? Even better, what can be done to separate or remove vehicles from urban spaces where they obviously don't belong.

A policy solution requires a major retink in how #Cambodia approaches #Roadsafety. 1. Starting with a national safe-street design standard and a comprehensive, actionable crash investigation policy. southeastasiaglobe.com/cambodia-safer…

2. Reduce the need for car usage, especially for frequent urban trips. This means pedestrianisation, boosting public transit, reforming parking requirements, enchancing walkability, Mobility Profile based land-use planning, etc. vodenglish.news/opinion-revita…

3. Regulate cars and disencentify car dependency. By discouraging the usage of big and heavy cars, through fees and taxes, as they cause disproportionate harm and damages. But are unfortunately gaining popularity in #Cambodia. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

@UNDPCambodia which is championing EVs, should influence policy to ensure they are equipped with speed governors. And that their safety ratings also reflect the safety of non-car users as well. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Policies to avoid. 1. Public #Roadsafety education and awareness campaigns (we had enough of those) and only worsening safety to show.

2. Autonomous vehicles. Even a technologically advanced car is still a car. Posing the same risk, causing the same congestion, and still contributing to car dependency.

3. Lastly, not a policy but a mindset that is too focused on crash mitigation (helmet, seatblets, etc.) but not on crash prevention (road design, mobility policy, vehicle size, etc.).

Right now, I fear for my life every time I commute. But I know a safer future is possible for all.