Mr Romdon opened and later closed the second round of the ‘Youth Safe Driving Training Project to Enhance Traffic Discipline and Accident Prevention in Schools’ at Phuket Technological College on Tuesday (June 23), where 83 students took part in a day of road safety education and practical motorcycle riding instruction.
The programme was organised by the Phuket Provincial Road Safety Centre in cooperation with the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) and Phuket Technological College.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Romdon stressed that Phuket continues to face serious challenges from road accidents, particularly motorcycle crashes involving children, teenagers and elderly people.
He noted that many accidents were linked to riders not wearing helmets, speeding, careless driving and hazardous road conditions.
“Each accident affects not only the victims, but also their families, friends and society as a whole,” Mr Romdon said.
“We do not want such losses to happen to any young person.”
DDPM Phuket Chief Warat Surawadee explained that children and youth remain among the groups most at risk of road accidents in Phuket.
He said the project was designed to build what officials call social immunity through active learning, helping students develop safer attitudes and behaviours on the road.
The training programme consisted of three main components: lessons on traffic laws and road signs delivered by officers from Phuket City Police; the innovative ‘Traffic Vaccine 6 Modules’ programme focused on risk awareness, decision-making and stress management; and practical motorcycle riding skills taught by instructors from the Honda Safe Driving Training Centre Phuket.
Students also analysed travel routes between their homes and school to identify potential risks and improve their awareness of dangerous situations they may encounter during daily journeys.
At the closing ceremony, Mr Romdon presented certificates to all participants who completed the training.
He described the programme as a form of “traffic vaccine” that equips young people with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to reduce their risk of being involved in road accidents.
“Knowing how to ride a motorcycle is not enough,” he said.
“You must ride correctly and safely, wear a helmet at all times, respect traffic laws and drive within the legal speed limit.”
He urged participants to apply the lessons in their daily lives and share the knowledge with family members and friends in order to help build a stronger culture of road safety across Phuket.
The second batch of the programme follows the launch of the first training session at Wichit Songkhram School on Monday (June 22), where Mr Romdon oversaw road safety training for 80 students just days after taking up his new role as Phuket vice governor.
Officials hope the programme will help improve traffic discipline among young people and contribute to a long-term reduction in road crashes involving children and teenagers in Phuket.