UN Launches Global Road Safety Campaign
Initiative aims to create safer, sustainable streets worldwide
New York, NY / 01 July 2024 / UN / Jane Doe — The United Nations has launched the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign to improve traffic safety globally. This initiative supports the New Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming to mobilize political will and increase actions to save millions of lives.
Caption: An indigenous woman walks her bicycle in Guatemala.
Photo: © UN Women/Ryan Brown
“Road safety is often overlooked politically. While we know how to prevent crashes, action is lagging,” said Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety. The campaign will run through 2025, reaching 1,000 cities in over 80 countries with support from celebrities like Novak Djokovic, Michelle Yeoh, and Naomi Campbell.
Road accidents are the leading cause of death for those aged 5 to 29, with 1.2 million deaths and 40 to 50 million injuries annually, primarily in low- and middle-income countries.
Guatemala’s Road Safety Efforts
Guatemala faces high road mortality rates, with poor road conditions and insufficient law enforcement. The National Civil Police has launched prevention campaigns, reaching over 570,000 people in 2022. The UN supports these efforts with training courses and traffic alerts.
South Africa’s Road Safety Campaign
Launched in May 2024, the UN campaign in South Africa promotes road safety awareness. Jean Todt met with officials to strategize improvements, including distributing high-visibility belts and promoting legislation on speed limits and child restraints. The UN Road Safety Fund supports these initiatives.
The #MakeASafetyStatement campaign exemplifies the UN’s approach to reducing road fatalities and injuries, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
