United Nations Global Road Safety Week 2023
The dangers facing young people on the roads will be one of the key topics at the 7th United Nations Global Road Safety Week 2023.
Road traffic injures are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with around 1.3 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. And for those aged from 5-29 years, there is no greater threat to their lives.
The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 reflects an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030. It highlights that they can be prevented by addressing the whole of the transport system, taking action to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours as well as to improve emergency care.
‘Safe walking creates sustainable cities’
UN Global Road Safety Week 2023, from 15-21 May, will be shining a light on sustainable transport, and in particular the need to shift to walking, cycling and public transport. Road safety, says WHO, is both a prerequisite for and an outcome of this shift.
The Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety is one of the key partners involved in the awareness week, and it is calling for policymakers to rethink mobility in order to make walking, cycling and public transport a safe and convenient choice.
One of the stark messages that stands out from the Global Plan is that road traffic crashes are the leading killer of children and young people worldwide, yet this is situation is going to continue unless real, tangible changes are made to roads and cities’ infrastructures across the globe. WHO says that when they are safe to do, then walking and cycling contribute to making people healthy, create sustainable cities and make societies equitable.
The event website highlights a number of worldwide examples where the authorities have been working to deliver change, including urban design in Barcelona, making Dublin a ‘walkable, safer city’, and safe cycling in the Dominican Republic.
Road safety and sustainable mobility partners are being encouraged to get involved with this awareness week by organising events and activities and sharing messages and materials on social media with the hashtags #RethinkMobility #StreetsforLife & #RoadSafety
Click here for more information on UN Global Road Safety Week.
