The United Nations today launched a new global road safety campaign to improve traffic safety and create inclusive, safe and sustainable streets.
Under the motto #MakeASafetyStatement, the campaign will also amplify the core messages of the New Decade of Action for Road Safety.
“Road safety is not high enough on the political agenda in most countries. While we know the remedies to road crashes, action is lagging behind,” said Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety.
“With this campaign, together with the celebrities that are joining us, and our partners JCDecaux and Saatchi & Saatchi, we are trying to revert this and mobilize the political will that is needed to increase actions and financing to save millions of lives,” he added.
Starting in New York, the campaign will run through 2025, reaching approximately 1,000 cities in more than 80 countries through billboards, social media and other platforms.
Thus far, 14 celebrities, including tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Oscar-winning actress and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh, and supermodel Naomi Campbell, have pledged their support to campaign.
Each contributed their own statement, such as “I drive slow” or “I don’t drive under the influence.”
The ‘silent pandemic’
At a press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Todt highlighted that road accidents are the “number one killer” for individuals aged 5 to 29, with the vast majority in low- and middle-income countries.
He noted that each year, 1.2 million people die on the road, and a further 40 to 50 million are injured, many seriously.
“It is a burden for the victims [and] for the family, but it is also a high cost for the countries,” Mr. Todt continued, adding that the “prescriptions” for this issue include education, communication, law enforcement, alongside quality of roads, and vehicles.
Around the world, UN teams are collaborating with governments and organizations to achieve the ambitious goal of halving road-related deaths and injuries by 2030. Here are two examples of their ongoing work.
Guatemala’s road safety challenges and solutions
Guatemala faces significant road safety challenges, with the highest mortality rate in Central America at 12.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2022 alone, 2,176 traffic fatalities were recorded, over half involving motorcycle accidents. This has a profound human and economic cost, straining healthcare resources like Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City.
Several factors contribute to this crisis, including poor road conditions, vehicle safety issues, and insufficient enforcement of the National Traffic Law. Additionally, the overlapping mandates of numerous institutions and local traffic police forces hinder effective coordination and enforcement efforts.
To address these challenges, Guatemala’s National Civil Police has implemented prevention campaigns and training sessions, reaching over 570,000 individuals in 2022. The Winter Operational Safety Plan 2023 further aims to mitigate accidents during the rainy season.
The UN is actively supporting these efforts through various agencies. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) prioritizes staff safety with measures like restricted travel hours and real-time traffic alerts through the SAFER application. They also offer specialized training courses for drivers.
Other UN initiatives include the United Nations Environment Programme’s project to regulate used vehicle imports for safety, the United Nations Office for Project Services’ collaboration with the International Road Assessment Programme to improve road safety management, and the Pan American Health Organization/WHO’s Road Safety Action Priorities framework. UN-Women also contributes by providing technical advice on national policies addressing violence and crime prevention, including road violence. Read more about efforts in Guatemala here.
South Africa champions road Safety through UN-led campaign
The UN Global Campaign for Road Safety, launched in South Africa in May 2024, aims to foster a culture of road safety across the continent. The campaign, supported by the government, private sector partners, and influential figures, focuses on raising awareness and promoting responsible road behavior, particularly among youth.
During the launch UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, met with South African government officials and road safety stakeholders to strategize on infrastructure development, education, public awareness, vehicle safety, driver behavior, and law enforcement.
A key component of the launch a road safety awareness initiative organized by the South African National Taxi Association Council (SANTACO) at the Bosman Taxi Rank in Pretoria. The collaborative effort between the UN, the Department of Transport, and Jonsson Workwear resulted in the distribution of thousands of high-visibility belts to taxi drivers and the public, emphasizing the importance of visibility for safety.
The campaign also highlighted the need for legislation on urban speed limits and child restraint systems, with the UN Road Safety Fund providing capacity-building support to the government in these areas. The distribution of helmets to drivers in Johannesburg, led by TotalEnergies, further demonstrated the commitment to protecting vulnerable road users.
The #MakeASafetyStatement campaign in South Africa, encompassing collaboration with government agencies, private sector partners, and local communities, exemplifies the UN’s multi-faceted approach to improving road safety. These concrete actions aim to reduce road fatalities and injuries, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. More information about the launch is available here.
To read more about the work of the UN in Guatemala visit: guatemala.un.org. To read more about the work of the UN in South Africa visit: southafrica.un.org
