Scroll for more

Road crashes are the

no.1

cause of youth deaths

from 5 to 29 years
CAMPAIGN

Every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities claims the lives of 1.19 million people, leaving countless others with severe injuries. This pandemic disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, bearing over 92% of incidents. Even more disheartening is that our youth, aged between 5 and 29, are most affected by road crashes. It is the main cause of early death. Many of these incidents occur while commuting to and from school.

In response to this urgent global issue, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, in collaboration with JCDecaux, with the support of Saatchi & Saatchi, launched a worldwide campaign under the motto "Make a Safety Statement". Over the next two years, from 2023 to 2025, this initiative will unfold across 80 countries and 1000 cities on billboards, bus shelters, and bike-share programs, with a strong presence on social media. "Make a Safety Statement" represents a call to action, amplifying the #StreetsForLife global message of the New Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming to halve the number of road-related victims by 2030.

The campaign aims to promote road safety and create secure, inclusive, and sustainable streets worldwide. Through active involvement in the "Making a Safety Statement" campaign, we can decrease risk factors, especially in urban areas, enabling people to safely walk, live, and enjoy their environment. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals and safeguard our planet's and people's well-being.

Fourteen celebrities have joined forces to promote safe driving practices, educate the public on viable solutions, and take a holistic approach to saving lives on the road. Join us to "Make a Safety Statement".

CELEBRITIES AND PHOTOGRAPHERS

Road safety is not high enough on the political agenda in most countries. While we know the remedies to road crashes, action is lagging behind. With this campaign, together with the celebrities that are joining us, and our partners JCDecaux and Saatchi & Saatchi, we are trying to revert this and mobilize the political will that is needed to increase actions and financing to save millions of lives, in line with the objectives of the Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Jean Todt. United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety

By 2030, the worldwide aim

is to achieve a

50%

reduction in road fatalities

Make your own road safety statement

#MakeaSafetyStatement is a call under the New Decade of Action for Road Safety, with the goal of halving the number of road victims by 2030.

Simple actions can keep us and our loved ones safe. Wear a seatbelt. Wear a helmet. Drive with caution. Say no to driving under the influence. Avoid driving tired. And never text while driving.

To reduce the risk factors so people can walk, live, and play freely for a world where neighbourhoods and streets are safe, healthy, green, and livable.

Donate to the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF)

The UN Road Safety Fund is the primary way for you to assist countries and communities in creating safe and sustainable mobility.

The success is not only determined by the resources we allocate, but also by the real-world impact we achieve. We have raised over $1 billion in safer transport projects in Tanzania, helped build a real-time data system to identify black spots for better patrolling and road infrastructure changes in Armenia, and supported the development of the first-ever road safety investment case in Zambia, aiming to avert more than 50,000 deaths, prevent more than 130,000 permanent disabilities, and avoid USD 12.8 billion in economic costs over 30 years.

Despite this progress, the journey for safer roads is far from over. There are critical funding gaps, and your investment is essential to continue our vital work. Your contribution will support initiatives like strong road safety laws, promoting responsible driving habits, ensuring safe vehicles, and creating infrastructure that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists. We advocate for improved post-crash care and first aid training to save lives following road accidents.

By joining the UNRSF partnership, you become a champion for a world where safe roads are the norm. Together, we can create a safe future where every journey is safe, no matter the destination.

Our Partners

DOWNLOAD THE MEDIA PACK
MAKE YOUR SAFETY STATEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
THE ROAD SAFETY CHALLENGES
  • Each year, 1.19 million people die on the road. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability.
  • Road traffic injuries are the world's leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
  • Every day, 600 children and adolescents die on the roads.
  • More than 92% of the world’s fatalities occur in LMICs, even though these countries have approximately 60% of the world’s vehicles.
  • Half of the road fatalities happen in cities.
  • More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
  • Road crashes can be managed by healthcare resources in communities suffering from other severe health issues.
  • Road traffic costs cost 3 to 5% of the annual GDP of many countries.
Only six countries in the world have laws that comply with WHO best practices for all the risk factors—speeding, driving under the influence or distracted driving, wearing UN-standard motorbike helmets, and using seatbelts and child restraints (WHO 2023).

Solutions exist:

  • Road Safety Conventions
  • Partnerships for road safety
  • Investing in road safety
  • Advocating and raising awareness
  • A safe system approach:
  • safe road infrastructure
  • improved vehicle safety
  • regulated road user behaviour
  • prompt post-crash response
  • well-established road safety management system and data
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL'S
SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ROAD SAFETY

Mr. Jean Todt of France was on 29 April 2015 appointed as Special Envoy for Road Safety by the previous Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The Special Envoy’s mandate contributes to addressing road traffic injuries, which take the lives of 1.19 million people annually, as well as safe, efficient, and sustainable transport, contributing to developing economies and reducing poverty, building sustainable cities, addressing human rights, and shaping a more resilient planet. In 2018, the Special Envoy launched the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) together with 14 UN organisations.

Learn more: