Actress Michelle Yeoh advocates for road safety in Vietnam

The Asian region, she says, is among those worst affected by dangerous roads, with 700,000 losing their lives in road-related fatalities every year. 

The world needs more governments in the region to make road safety a priority, and put in place effective legislation on key risk factors such as speeding, drink-driving, and seat-belt use. 

She is adamant in her belief that we all have a part to play in road safety. 

Whether a person is a member of government, a driver, a passenger or a pedestrian, we all must do what we can to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives on roads. 

She notes it takes only a very few short seconds for a tragic crash to occur, which is irrevocable. We all have a responsibility to behave safely and to think of those whom we share the road. 

As is the case for countries like Vietnam, motorcycle safety is a top concern. Too many people – including children – ride on the back of bikes with no helmets and no protection.

Like anywhere in the world, Vietnamese need to improve road safety and tackle the basics: by improving infrastructure, vehicles, education, legislation and health care, she says.