The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has launched a campaign to encourage pillion riders to wear safety helmets in order to reduce injuries and death from motorcycle accidents.

The OIC has sets a target to increase the number of people wearing helmet by 60 percent this year. The OIC and several insurance associations and organizations have together held a campaign to encourage helmet wearing.

This year, the campaign is placing an emphasis on scooter passengers, both on personal motorcycles and on motorcycle taxis. A recent survey has found that 54% of motorcycle pillion riders in Bangkok wear a helmet, while only 19-24% of passengers in other provinces do the same.

As the Songkran Festival is approaching, the organizer has also advised riders to check their motorbikes before use and renew their car registrations and insurances.

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255503280006