PRESS RELEASE by Global Alliance NGOs for Road Safety: Latin America Chapter to Unify and Strengthen NGO Advocacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, the 51 members of Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety (the Alliance) in 15 countries in Latin America launched a new regional chapter to unify and strengthen their advocacy and influence to save lives across the continent.

Last year, the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 (Global Plan) was published, setting out the action that governments need to take to achieve a 50% reduction in road deaths and injuries by 2030. The Global Plan highlights the essential role of civil society in achieving this ambitious target. NGOs play a pivotal role in promoting, advocating, and achieving the adoption of proven measures toward the 2030 target. In recent months, NGO advocacy has contributed to significant legislative wins in Mexico and Colombia and the development of national road safety strategies with aggressive fatality and injury reduction targets in Ecuador and Colombia. 

The Latin America Chapter will be a platform of support to strengthen and unite NGOs in the region working on road safety, mobility, and with road victims; recognizing synergies between countries and leveraging NGOs’ joint strength and experience to stronger, further-reaching advocacy wins. Together they will keep their governments accountable for their global, regional, and in-country commitments, including the 2030 target, and keep road safety on the agenda until every person in Latin America is guaranteed — through commitment and action — their right to safe mobility. 

The proven actions that can prevent road deaths and injuries are known. Now, governments must prioritize and implement them. Alliance member NGOs have drafted a call to action for decision makers in Latin America, taking account of the specific context and challenges within the region. It calls for governments in Latin America to:

1. Guarantee the right to safe mobility by drafting and enforcing laws or constitutional changes that transcend government terms and short term priorities;
2. Implement evidence-based actions, with particular attention to: 
   • speed management, which is the primary factor aggravating all other risk factors;
   • safety of motorized two-wheeler users by improving vehicle and driver license standards, strengthening post-crash care and crash investigation; 
   • comprehensive support systems for road crash victims and their families;
   • stronger legislation and enforcement for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and use of handheld devices while driving.

The launch of the Latin America Chapter has been achieved through sponsorship from Michelin Group, supported by Michelin offices in different countries in the region. It is coordinated by the Alliance Secretariat with strategic guidance from an advisory committee of member NGOs from the region.

Lotte Brondum, Executive Director of the Alliance, said, “Under the umbrella of the Alliance, the Latin America Chapter is a grassroots movement, guided by members to strengthen the NGO voice in the region. We thank Michelin for their generous support, which has enabled the Chapter to be launched, so that the voice and power of NGOs will be amplified in the region. There is no reason why every country in Latin America cannot halve road deaths by 2030: we know what proven actions are needed. We have just 3,044 days until the 2030 target date to reduce road deaths and injuries. There’s no time to lose.”

Nicolas Beaumont, Senior Vice-President, Sustainable Development and Mobility, Michelin, said, “The Michelin Group is committed to sustainable and safe mobility, respectful of man and the planet and resolutely turned toward the future. NGOs are a key piece of the jigsaw to ensure a safe, sustainable future for all and we are therefore delighted to strengthen NGO advocacy and action for safe mobility in Latin America through this new collaboration.”