UN Global Road Safety Week calls on the public to demand stronger leadership

Abstract

The UN Global Road Safety Week focus on the theme, “Leadership for road safety.” The theme acknowledges that stronger leadership is needed to advance road safety in countries and communities worldwide. The risk of a road traffic death remains three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries, with rates highest in Africa (26.6 per 100 000 population) and lowest in Europe (9.3 per 100 000 population). In the settings where progress has been made, it is because of strong leadership around legislation on key risks such as speeding, drinking and driving, and failing to use seat-belts, motorcycle helmets and child restraints; safer infrastructure like sidewalks and dedicated lanes for cyclists and motorcyclists; improved vehicle standards such as those that mandate electronic stability control and advanced braking; and enhanced post-crash care.