Urgent action needed on road safety to save millions of lives, says Secretary-General

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for urgent action to make roads safer for all those who use them in an effort to save millions of lives worldwide.

“I call for more concerted action on road safety as part of the future development agenda. This will be a vital component of efforts to improve health and save lives in the years ahead,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed on 17 November.

The United Nations chief drew attention to the fact that every year crashes take the lives of almost 1.24 million people and injure as many as 50 million more, leaving some with permanent disability.

“Behind these statistics are grieving parents, children, siblings, colleagues and friends. Their struggle is not only emotional; traffic accidents often take a severe financial toll, with many families reduced to poverty through either the loss of a breadwinner or the costs associated with lost income and prolonged medical care.”

Mr. Ban applauded the fact that governments have agreed to a Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2011-2020, with the target of saving 5 million lives.

“I welcome action by cities around the world to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and all other road users. Sidewalks, crosswalks, overpasses and roadway lighting are being installed; laws on drunk driving, speeding, wearing seatbelts and prohibiting texting and other dangerous use of mobile phones while driving are being enacted and enforced; pedestrian zones are being created in city centres; and emergency trauma care is being enhanced to ensure the prompt treatment of those with life-threatening injuries…

“Let us work to make more roads safe for all who use them. Together, we can save millions of lives.”