Despite significant improvements in road safety in several countries over the past few decades, 1.2 million people are killed every year in road traffic crashes around the world. Nine out of ten deaths occur in developing countries – most of them among pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and passengers of public transport, and more than half of them between 15 and 44 years old. Up to 50 million people are injured, many suffering life-long disability. Yet road traffic-related deaths and injuries attract little attention from the world's media. They occur one by one, in a series of personal tragedies. Most of this enormous toll can be prevented – by tackling dangerous driving, such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol; by promoting the use of helmets and seat belts; by ensuring that people walking and cycling are more visible; by improving the design of roads and vehicles; by enforcing road safety regulations; and by improving emergency response services. The key to successful prevention lies in the commitment of all relevant sectors, public and private – health, transport, education, finance, police, legislators, manufacturers, foundations and the media – to make road safety happen. In recognition of this growing global crisis, the United Nations General Assembly passed an historic resolution on 14 April 2004. In addition to urging Member States to address the growing problem of road traffic injuries, the resolution called for international cooperation to support the efforts of developing countries in particular. It invited the World Health Organization, in collaboration with the United Nations regional commissions, to coordinate road safety efforts within the United Nations family. The World Health Organization's initial coordination efforts include bringing together a broad range of United Nations agencies and other key global partners in the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration. (Author/publisher)
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