In April 2004 WHO is taking a giant leap forward in global public health in the field of road traffic injuries, with two major events to promote action for saving lives and preventing morbidity: (1) World Health Day on 7 April 2004 with the theme "Road safety is no accident"; and (2) the "World report on road traffic injury prevention". The last factor is critical, since the field of road traffic injury prevention is replete with myths and false assumptions that must be exploded. The United Nations General Assembly will discuss road safety on 14 April 2004. The World Bank is ensuring that road safety becomes an integral component of transport and health work in countries. At the national level, conferences and workshops have been held on reducing road traffic injuries in countries such as Bangladesh, Mexico, Pakistan and Uganda. Research on road traffic injuries has been recognized as a neglected issue, and a network for low- and middle-income countries has been operating to promote capacity development for the past four years. All these events represent unprecedented opportunities for the global health community to wake up to the preventable devastation caused by road traffic injuries. National players need to take charge and develop plans of action that are evidence-based, specific to their context and practical to implement. It is time to initiate activities which will lead to a sharp decrease in the loss of life and health from road traffic injuries, especially in low- and middle-income countries, in the next five years - a new millennium development goal worthy of global commitment.
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