Article author:
Associated Press
Edith M. Rederer
United Nations (AP) — Called on Friday for global action to reduce annual tolls, the United Nations The first high-level conference on road safety at the General Assembly By the end of the decade, at least half of the traffic accidents had killed about 1.3 million people and injured 50 million.
The political declaration adopted by the consensus on the final day of the two-day session states that road accident casualties not only cause widespread distress to loved ones, but also average 3% to 5% of the country's annual gross domestic product. % Shows a sacrifice of domestic products.
It states that "traffic safety is an urgent public health and development priority."
The delegation is to expand its efforts and reduce fatalities and serious injuries to all countries, as required by the World Plan 2021-2030 on the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. He called for a promise to set national goals.
At the opening ceremony on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that road accidents are the leading cause of death worldwide for young people aged 5 to 29, with 9 out of 10 victims being medium. Said it was low. Income country.
"Road deaths are closely linked to poor infrastructure, unplanned urbanization, loose social protection and health care systems, limited road safety literacy, and lasting national and national inequality. It's related, "he said. "At the same time, unsafe roads are an important obstacle to development."
The UN chief said, "Speed violations, driving under the influence of alcohol and psychotropic drugs, seat belts. More ambitious and urgent action to mitigate the greatest risks, such as failure to use. , Helmets and child restraints, unsafe road infrastructure and unsafe vehicles, inadequate pedestrian safety, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws.
He encouraged increased spending on improving infrastructure and implementing "cleaner mobility and greener urban planning, especially in low- and middle-income countries."
The United Nations Road Safety Fund, established in 2018 to reduce road casualties in low- and middle-income countries, held its first pledge event on Thursday with donors from 16 countries and the private sector. One million said he had pledged $ 15.
The fund is funding 25 influential projects in 30 countries and 5 regions around the world, saying it needs more money. rice field.
UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, said, "To prevent the meaningless loss of life that occurs every day on our roads, we will devote more money to road safety solutions. You can and must do it again. "
President Abdullah Shahid said on Friday that "in most countries, investment in road safety remains underfunded."
Some countries "do not have the resources or knowledge to design safer roads and vehicles, or to teach safe road use behavior," he said. All road users around the world.
