If you had to guess the leading cause of death for children and young people around the world, what would you say? Malaria perhaps? Pneumonia? Suicide? They’re all high up there, but no, it’s road accidents.Cars have been around for more than 120 years, and we know how to prevent these tragedies. Yet road crashes still claim more than two lives every minute – killing nearly 1.2 million people every year.If these deaths were caused by a virus, it would be called a pandemic and the world would scramble to develop a vaccine to prevent them. And yet reducing road deaths has long been overlooked, misunderstood and underfunded.People will always make mistakes on the roads but we have proven solutions that ensure our transport systems can absorb these errors in a way that significantly reduces the risk of death.As part of theUN Sustainable Development Goalsand the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, the world has set an ambitious target of halving deaths on the road worldwide by 2030.Safe, accessible and affordable transport breaks down barriers to jobs, education and opportunities for disadvantaged groupsJust 10 countries – including some hard-hit poorer countries – managed to reduce road deaths by more than 50% in theprevious decade of action, and more than 30 countries are close behind. This shows that the target can be met but it is nowhere near enough. We need urgent action.Key to meeting this goal is the decision to design and build our transport systems for people – not for motor vehicles – and to make safety paramount in all decisions.This is especially important for the most vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders, who are often left dangerously exposed.Advancing road safety is crucial in itself, but it is also key to sustainable development overall.The world is going through an unprecedented wave of motorisation. More than a billion vehicles are on the roads. This is unsustainable, so we must focus on moving people, not cars, motorbikes and trucks.Transport accounts for a quarter of global carbon emissions and fuels congestion in our cities. Yet when mobility is made safe and accessible, people choose the greener options of public transport, walking and cycling.Designing cities around sustainable transport – with cycle lanes, pedestrian zones and fully accessible public transport – also strengthens communities by making urban spaces safer and more livable, while improving access to adequate housing and basic services for all.Safe roads power economies. Deaths on the road cancost countries about 3% to 5% of GDP, and ensuring more people can travel safely to their work, schools and vital services helps drive development.Safe, accessible and affordable transport also breaks down barriers to jobs, education and opportunities for disadvantaged groups. This helps ensure everyone can reach their potential.The same holds true for gender equality. In some countries, up to 80% of women report suffering harassment on public transport, so we must make transport safe for female passengers.We need a step-change in political will, a sense of urgency, evidence-based strategies, strong coordination and adequate financingRoad safety is everyone’s business and to succeed we need a range of sectors to be involved. Urban planners and engineers must ensure safety is built into infrastructure. Academia and civil society can generate evidence. The media can dig deeper into what works, as well as what does not and why.The private sector has tremendous influence. Businesses can contribute to safe and sustainable mobility by applying proven principles and practices throughout their activities and only selling vehicles that meet established safety standards.Yet the role of government is paramount. Governments must provide strategic and well-coordinated approaches, strong policy and legal frameworks that enforce safety standards and safe behaviours, and sufficient funding. Law enforcement and education are also key.This vision is right at the heart of the plan for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-30, which offers a blueprint for governments.This week, world leaders met for the4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safetyin Morocco to assess progress, share knowledge and advance actions to halve road deaths by 2030.Africa sees sharp rise in road traffic deaths as motorbike taxis boomRead moreThey have adopted the newMarrakech Declaration, which recognises road safety as an urgent public health and development priority, and that our efforts must be guided by the principles of equity, accessibility and sustainability.The declaration calls on leaders to step up efforts. We need a step-change in political will, a sense of urgency, evidence-based strategies that are costed and implemented, strong coordination and adequate financing.Road safety is a crisis that has gone on far too long. No road deaths are necessary or acceptable. Yet it is also much more than that. Safe and sustainable mobility can power a better future for us all.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is thedirectorgeneral of theWorld Health Organization, andJean Todtis the UNsecretarygeneral’sspecialenvoy forroadsafety
If road deaths were a virus, we’d call it a pandemic. Safer transport helps us all – and we need it urgently | Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Jean Todt
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Global Leaders Urged to Prioritize Road Safety Amid Rising Traffic Fatalities"
The Guardian
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Road traffic accidents have emerged as the leading cause of death for children and young people globally, surpassing diseases like malaria and pneumonia. Despite the availability of proven strategies to prevent these tragedies, road crashes continue to claim nearly 1.2 million lives annually, equating to more than two fatalities every minute. This crisis, if attributed to a virus, would be labeled a pandemic, prompting an urgent global response. Yet, road safety has historically been neglected in terms of funding and attention. The UN Sustainable Development Goals aim to halve road deaths by 2030, highlighting the need for safer, more accessible transportation systems designed with people in mind rather than vehicles. The emphasis on protecting vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, is crucial in reducing fatalities and ensuring equitable access to transport for all demographics, particularly disadvantaged groups.
The surge in motorization worldwide, with over a billion vehicles on the roads, has exacerbated the situation, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions and urban congestion. The authors advocate for a transformative approach to urban planning that prioritizes sustainable transport options such as public transit, walking, and cycling. This not only enhances road safety but also fosters community development and improves living conditions. Economic implications are significant, as road deaths can cost countries between 3% to 5% of their GDP. The recent Marrakech Declaration from the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety underscores the necessity for a coordinated global effort to address this ongoing crisis. It calls for a renewed political commitment to implement evidence-based strategies, ensure adequate financing, and foster collaboration across various sectors to achieve the ambitious goal of halving road deaths by 2030. The authors emphasize that no road death is acceptable, and prioritizing safe mobility can lead to a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the alarming rate of road deaths, particularly among children and young people, drawing a parallel between this public health crisis and a pandemic. It emphasizes the urgent need for a shift in transportation system design to prioritize safety, particularly for vulnerable road users. The authors are pushing for increased awareness and action around road safety, likening the ongoing fatalities to a preventable disease that demands immediate intervention.
Public Health Concern
The authors present road accidents as a leading cause of death, overshadowing other major health issues. By framing road deaths in the context of a pandemic, they aim to evoke a sense of urgency and responsibility among policymakers and the public. The article seeks to raise awareness about the preventable nature of these deaths and the need for systemic changes in transportation.
Target Audience and Societal Impact
The message is likely aimed at a broad audience, including policymakers, urban planners, and the general public. By focusing on vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists, the article appeals to communities concerned with social justice and equitable transportation access. The expectation is that this awareness can foster a collective push for safer transportation systems, which can lead to significant societal changes.
Economic and Political Implications
If the proposed changes to transportation systems are implemented, it could lead to both economic benefits and political ramifications. Safer transport can enhance productivity by improving access to jobs and education, particularly for disadvantaged populations. Conversely, the acknowledgment of road deaths as a critical issue may pressure governments to allocate more resources towards road safety initiatives, which could influence budgeting and policy priorities.
Perception of Reliability
The framing of road deaths as a pandemic can be seen as a deliberate strategy to elevate the issue on the public agenda. While the article relies on factual data regarding road fatalities, its persuasive tone and comparison to a pandemic may lead some readers to perceive it as somewhat alarmist. However, the underlying message is grounded in a credible concern for public safety, making the article largely reliable despite potential emotional manipulation.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
In the context of other global health and safety news, this article connects road safety to broader themes of public health and sustainable development. It aligns with ongoing discussions about urbanization, environmental sustainability, and social equity, reinforcing the idea that transport issues are integral to a wide range of societal challenges.
Influence on Market Dynamics
While the immediate focus is on road safety, the implications of improved transportation systems can extend to various sectors, including automotive, urban planning, and public health. Companies involved in these areas may find this news relevant as it could influence policy decisions and funding allocations, potentially affecting their operations and market strategies.
Geopolitical Relevance
The article touches on global trends in motorization and transportation, which have significant implications for international development and cooperation. Addressing road safety is crucial not only for individual countries but also for global health initiatives, making this topic relevant in discussions about global power dynamics and international policy.
Use of AI in Article Composition
There is no explicit indication that artificial intelligence was used in crafting the article, but the structured argument and presentation could suggest the influence of AI tools in the drafting process. If AI were involved, it might have contributed to the clear articulation of complex issues and the persuasive framing of road safety as a pressing global concern. The article's approach may lead to a greater focus on transportation safety within public discourse, prompting individuals and organizations to advocate for necessary reforms. Overall, while the framing may elicit some skepticism, the data and urgency presented provide a strong foundation for the authors' call to action.