Dili, 17 may 2023 (TATOLI)- United Nations (UN) urging countries and partners in the South-East Asia Region and around the world to rethink mobility and re-imagine mobility for sustainable transport.
The UN advise following the report of the WHO on the global Road incidents that caused 1.35 million deaths every year.
“UN urges all countries in South-East Asia Region and around the world to rethink mobility and re-imagine mobility for sustainable transport. Road traffic crashes are a major public health issue, causing nearly 1.35 million deaths every year and as many as 50 million injuries, globally,”
The statement seen by Tatoli from WHO stated that, Globally, Every year, for people aged 5-29 years, there is no greater threat to their lives Shockingly, 1 in every 4 road traffic deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists.
In the South-East Asia Region, road traffic injuries are responsible for over 316,000 deaths annually, with two-wheelers contributing more than 44% of all road traffic deaths.
“We must prioritize the needs of vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, in our road safety programs. This requires a multi-faceted approach that includes legal reforms, effective enforcement strategies, and investments in safer road infrastructure and design,” said a statement cited from WHO.
With some 70% of the global population expected to live in urban settings by 2030, there will be an increased demand for public transport to facilitate the movement of large and growing populations. Livable streets should be at the heart of every community.
“We must take advantage of this moment in time to rethink and redo mobility, for the well-being of people and the planet, now and for future generations,”
Such roads consider first and foremost those most at risk of injury: children and adolescents, people with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists, and users of public transport. We urge all governments, communities, and stakeholders to work together as achieving this target requires a concerted effort by all partners.
With these death records, several global plans, and decades of action for road safety, 2021-2030 were addressed by The UN General Assembly, to reduce road deaths and injuries by at least 50% by 2030.
The Global Action Plan identifies solid interventions that are effective and doable. In addition, the Global Plan highlights a shift towards people-centered roads and road networks, those that are planned, designed, built, and operated to eliminate risks and save lives.
This is also time to think and reprioritize key areas of focus. First, Governments should enact/update laws that meet best international practice criteria on the behavioral risk factors and adopt effective enforcement strategies.
Second, simple behavioral changes such as wearing quality helmets appropriately by both riders and pillion, wearing seat belts, and use of child restraints, to prevent drunk driving can save thousands of precious lives.
Ministry of Health, traffic police departments, transport authorities, and other agencies should all come together to ensure that behavioral risk factors are reduced.
Third, governments must invest in safer road infrastructure and design for all road users with special attention to vulnerable users and develop policies that promote shifting to safer modes like walking and cycling as alternatives to car travel and invest in safe and affordable public transport and encourage its use
We must prioritize safety at the core of our efforts and work towards achieving the global target of a 50% reduction in the number of road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
TATOLI
