MICHAEL BONFIGLI PHOTOGRAPHER

Vietnam: Motor Bike Culture

Vietnam has one of the world's highest traffic fatality rates, with nearly 13,000 deaths recorded last year alone -- the majority involving the ubiquitous motorbike. Few people bother with helmets, saying they are hot, bulky and unfashionable. But as of Dec. 15, 2007, everyone has been required to don the so-called "rice cookers" as the government enforces the new law intended to save lives.
Vietnam has one of the world's highest traffic fatality rates, with nearly 13,000 deaths recorded last year alone -- the majority involving the ubiquitous motorbike. Few people bother with helmets, saying they are hot, bulky and unfashionable. But as of Dec. 15, 2007, everyone has been required to don the so-called "rice cookers" as the government enforces the new law intended to save lives.