If you had to guess the main cause of death for children and young people globally, what would you say?
Malarie? Pneumonia? Suicide? They are all there, but no, it’s a roadside.
The cars have been about 120 years old, and we know how to prevent these tragedies. However, street clashes still claim more than two minutes every minute, and nearly 1.2 million lives every year.
If these deaths were to be caused by a virus, it would be called a pandemic and the world would collide to develop vaccines to prevent them.
And yet, the reduction of deaths on the road has long been overlooked, misunderstood and under -financed.
People will always make road mistakes, but we have tried solutions that ensure that our transport systems can absorb these errors in a way that significantly reduces the risk of death.
As part of the goals of the United Nations sustainable development and the decade of UN action for road safety 2021-2030, the world has set an ambitious objective of halving road deaths worldwide by 2030.
Only ten countries-including some low-income and middle-income countries reduce road deaths by more than 50% in a decade, and more than 30 countries are nearby. This shows that the objective can be met but is nowhere near. We need urgent action.
Keyeles for fulfilling this goal is the decision to design and build our transport systems for people – not for vehicles – and to make the main security in all decisions and actions.
This is especially important for the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who are often left dangerously exposed.
Road safety progress is essential in itself, but it is also essential for sustainable development in general.
The world is going through an unprecedented wave of motorization. More than a billion vehicles are on the road. This is unstable, so we need to focus on moving people, not cars, motorcycles and trucks.
Transport is a quarter of global carbon emissions, and fuel fuel in our cities. However, when mobility becomes safe and accessible, people choose the greenest options of public transport, walking and cycling.
Designing cities about sustainable transport – with cycling lanes, pedestrian areas and accessible public transport – also strengthens communities making spaces safer and more livable, while improving access to proper shelter and basic services for all.
Safe roads Energy economies. Road deaths can cost countries about 3 to 5% of GDP, and ensuring that more people can safely move to their jobs, schools and life services run development.
Safe, accessible and affordable transport also breaks down barriers to jobs, schools and opportunities for adverse groups. This helps to make sure everyone can reach their potential.
The same is true for gender equality, and in some countries up to 80% of women report to suffer harassment in public transport, so we need to make safe transport for women and girls.
Road safety is everyone’s business and to succeed, we need a range of sectors to be included.
Urban planners and engineers need to ensure that security is built in infrastructure. The Academy and Civil Society can generate evidence. The media can dig deeper into what works, what not and why.
The private sector has a tremendous impact. Businesses can contribute to safe and sustainable mobility by applying proven principles and practices along their value chains. They should only sell vehicles that meet the United Nations security standards.
However, the role of the government is primary. Governments should provide well -coordinated strategic and coordinated approaches, strong policies and legal frameworks that implement security standards and safe behaviors, and sufficient funds. Law enforcement and education are also essential.
This vision is right at the heart of the Global Plan for the Decade of UN Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, which offers a plan for governments to reduce road deaths.
This week, world leaders will meet for a global ministerial conference on road safety in Morocco. They will appreciate progress, share knowledge, and advance actions to halve road deaths by 2030.
They are determined to adopt a new statement of Marrakech, which recognizes road safety as an urgent advantage of public health and development, and that our efforts must be guided by the principles of equality, access and sustainability.
The statement calls on leaders to increase efforts to operate the global plan for the decade of UN action on road safety. We need a step change in political will, a sense of emergency, proven strategies that are dedicated and implemented, strong coordination and adequate funding.
Road safety is a crisis that has been going on for a long time. No road death is necessary or acceptable.
However, it is also much more than that. Safe and stable mobility can strengthen a better future for us all.
OP-ED is co-signed by 15 executives of the UN agencies/departments and Mr. Abdesamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics of the Kingdom of Morocco, host of the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety.
- Tedros adhanom ghebreesusDirector General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Jean TodtSpecial Prophet of the UN Secretary General for Road Safety
- Achim SteinerSub-Secretary General and Administrator of United Nations Development Program
- Rabab FatimaSignary General and Senior Representative for Less Developed Countries, Earth Developing Countries and Developing States of the small island
- Iger AndersenKB under the Secretary General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- Anaclaudia RossbachExecutive Director of the United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-Habitat)
- Filippo GrandiThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Jorge Moreira da SilvaThe Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
- Tatiana MolceanUN Under Secretary General/Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
- Armida Salsiah AlisjahbanaUnited Nations Executive Secretary Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP)
- Gatete claverExecutive Secretary of UNDED Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
- Role DashtiThe Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (UNESCWA (
- José Manuel Salazar-XirinachsSecretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (UNECLAC)
- Gilles MichaudSub-Secretary General for Security and Safety, United Nations Department of Safety and Safety (UNDSS)
- Felipe paullerAssistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs