With more than 1000 events in over 125 countries, the Fourth UN Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) has been the biggest ever. Alliance members have leveraged momentum and the doors are open to create lasting infrastructure and legislation for safer communities and a long-term legacy for the #SlowDown campaign.
Our congratulations to all involved in organizing events for UNGRSW — we hope that you continue to see the fruit of your hard work for many years to come.
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The
Fourth UN Global Road Safety Week concluded on 14 May 2017 after a busy
week of activities around the world. In all, WHO reported that more
than 1000 events were registered in over 125 countries. This is the
highest number of events of any UNGRSW.
Alliance members ran a wide range of activities that engaged schools,
governments, the police, the emergency services, and motorists. You can
see a selection of member photos and features our website HERE along
with details of the official kickoff event, held during our Global
Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Numerous members shared their tweets and
Facebook posts with us and we took part in a Twitter chat hosted by the
FIA Foundation. Click HERE to see our Twitter feed and HERE to see our Facebook page.
At the beginning of the week, we announced the winners of the Alliance
UNGRSW photo contest. Five photos were selected in the categories Speed
Management, Slow Down, and NGOs at Work. Click HERE to see the press release and winning photos. |
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In
Mozambique, speeding drivers visibly shook as they explained themselves
to a panel of children in a kids’ court set up for the #SlowDown
campaign. Eight children from a primary school next to a busy road had
the opportunity to be the judges in the court, which was set up by two
Alliance members, Amend Mozambique and Amviro, in collaboration with the
Mozambique traffic police. Drivers who were stopped by the police
outside the school for speeding or other offenses were fined and
then invited to take part in the kids’ court where they were questioned
by the children and asked to take the pledge to slow down.
The kids’ court created a wider debate: Is it the drivers or lack of
infrastructure that are the problem? As Texel Cossa, program manager at
Amend, says: “While drivers and the authorities continue pointing
fingers at each other, and people vandalize road signs, more children
are lost on our dangerous roads. Something has to be done and rather
sooner than later. This young generation depends on us.” Read more HERE. |
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On
19 May 2017, a new law in the Philippines prohibiting children from
traveling on motorcycles without wearing a helmet finally came into
force. It had been almost two years since President Benigno Aquino
III signed the law, so this day has been long awaited. In a recent study
in hospitals in the Philippines, only 4% of injured motorcycle
riders were wearing a helmet. Children have a higher probability of
suffering serious injury than adults because their brains and skulls
have not reached maturity, making them more vulnerable. The new law
therefore has huge potential to save lives.
Alliance member Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines has been in the
forefront of the push for mandatory helmet use for children since 2014.
Their action has been led by Amy Rolloque, Program Officer and a 2016
Alliance Advocate, and Jesus de la Fuente, Executive Director. They and
their team have advocated tirelessly, advising the national Senate on
the bill and constantly following up with the Land Transport Office and
Department of Transport to ensure implementation of the law. They have
also taken practical action, distributing 900 children’s helmets since
last August. The enactment of the law is a huge success, and we
congratulate Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines on their role in ensuring
that every child wears a helmet. Read more HERE. |
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RESEARCH: HOW SAFE ARE CHILDREN ON MOTORCYCLES?
80% of motorcyclists traveling with children on their motorcycles do not
consider them to be at risk. This was a key finding of a new study from
Alliance member Fundación Gonzalo Rodriguez conducted in 43 cities in
six Latin American countries. In this region, road crashes are the
primary cause of death among children aged 5–14 years. Motorcycles are
responsible for half of the deaths in road crashes. Statistics on child
helmet use vary considerably across the countries studied, but in some
cities in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Paraguay,less than
10% of 1–12 year olds wear helmets on motorcycles, and many are
incorrectly used or unapproved helmets.
The study looked at the number of children riding on motorcycles, helmet
use and other safety measures, the position of the child on the
motorcycle and knowledge of regulations.
The study makes a number of recommendations on improving child
motorcycle safety and regulation in the region and describes how
motorcycle users could be educated about the risks. Read more HERE.
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Engineering
company Fireseeds North Infrastructure is offering 100 free video-based
Safe Systems speed studies around the world to mark UN Global Road
Safety Week.
In this project, Fireseeds North Infrastructure will evaluate the speed
profiles of vehicles turning at signalized intersections to quantify
pedestrian safety risks. It will do this using its automated video-based
analytics software. To find out more, including how to participate,
click HERE. |
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WHO
has commissioned a literature review on bicycle safety. If you know of
published or unpublished studies undertaken in low or middle income
countries that address bicyclists and focus on fatality and injury
reduction or interventions, please send them to admin@roadsafetyngos.org and Gayle Di Pietro at gayle.dipietro33@gmail.com. |
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The Alliance is excited to welcome two new members that joined in April.
Read more about our new members HERE,
and please stop by their member profiles on the Alliance’s website to
learn more about the important work they do to promote safer roads and
reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities around the world.
Η ΕΥΘΥΤΑ ΡΟΔΟΥ , είναι μέλος.
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