PRESS RELEASE: New NGO advocacy initiative to drive implementation of life-saving policies

 

PRESS RELEASΕ: 24 January 2024 Today, the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety (the Alliance) announces its latest cohort of NGOs into the Alliance Incubator program (Incubator), supported by Michelin and the TotalEnergies Foundation program. The Incubator mobilizes and strengthens NGOs’ advocacy to drive implementation of interventions that have been proven to be effective in reducing the 1.19 million road-related deaths that occur globally each year.[1]

The new Incubator welcomes 12 NGOs, spanning ten countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, who will advocate for evidence-based road safety policies and infrastructure changes including 30 km/h zones; lower speed limits; traffic calming, such as speed humps, to reduce vehicle speeds; pedestrian crossings and footpaths to protect those who walk; and motorcycle helmet laws with enforcement and promotion. These have been identified as Priority Interventions by the Alliance because they are proven to be among the most effective in saving lives on the road, have a common focus on protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, and have been identified by NGOs as priorities in their countries.

 
The NGOs will utilize the Alliance’s Accountability Toolkit to inform and enhance their work. The Toolkit is a set of practical, web-based tools. It offers tangible steps to help NGOs assess their governments’ status on reducing road deaths and injuries, and keep them accountable for providing a safe road system for all road users, enabling each of us to move safely around our communities. The Incubator also provides NGOs with mentoring and peer-to-peer learning and support networks to achieve their goals. This is embedded in a structured work plan with clear outcomes, outputs, and timelines.
 
“Governments have a responsibility to provide a safe road system so that each of us can make the journeys that are part of our daily lives. NGOs’ role is to hold governments accountable for implementing interventions that are proven to protect people and save lives. The Incubator is equipping NGOs to do this,” said Lotte Brondum, Executive Director of the Alliance. “We thank Michelin and TotalEnergies, through the TotalEnergies Foundation program, for supporting the Alliance and our NGOs to advocate for impactful change.”
 
“Our support for road safety NGOs in Latin America is a commitment to strengthen NGO advocacy and action for safe mobility in the region,” said Antoine Sautenet, Chief Sustainability Officer, Corporate Sustainable Development and Impact Department, Michelin. “The Alliance Incubator reflects our dedication to innovative projects that foster sustainable mobility and echo the values of respect for human lives and the planet.”
 
“In Africa, where, according to the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, 19% of all fatalities occur, we support road safety NGOs in their advocacy work. Collaborating with them through the Alliance Incubator will empower them to take action using systemic and collective approaches to road safety, on an individual, local, national and international level, to ensure safer mobility.” said Olivier Rabier, Program Director, TotalEnergies Foundation.

 

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[1] Global status report on road safety 2023. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.