VietNamNet Bridge - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has contributed US$9 million to Vietnam and Mexico to carry out two-year pilot traffic safety programmes, said the World Health Ogranisation (WHO). 
Road traffic injury prevention programmes, funded through the Bloomberg Family Foundation, will be piloted in Mexico and Vietnam, with a focus on increasing the use of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts and child restraints; reducing drink-driving; and improving the visibility of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
They are expected to help decrease significantly the death, injury and disability resulting from road traffic crashes.
According to the WHO, road traffic crashes kill nearly 1.2 million people annually and injure up to 50 million others, with the majority of deaths and injuries occurring in low-and middle-income countries.
Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death globally for 10-to-24 year-olds. Most of these young lives are lost while walking, riding on their bicycles or motorcycles, or using public transport.
(Source: VOV)