UN Road Safety Envoy in US Seeks More Investment
On the heels of the 4th UN Ministerial Conference for Road Safety in Morrocco, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, is in the US this week to raise awareness about and mobilize more investment for road safety.
In Washington, DC, the Special Envoy will participate in the Transforming Transportation Forum 2025 (10-12 March), organized by the World Bank and the World Resources Institute for Sustainable Cities. The conference will focus on the skills, policies and resources needed to move from planning and policy to the implementation of equitable, sustainable and resilient transportation systems. On this occasion, the Special Envoy will also present his new book – “The Silent pandemic on the Road” – and the UN-JCDecaux campaign #MakeASafetyStatement.
In New York City from 13 to 16 March, the Special Envoy will meet high-level UN representatives and join an event hosted by New York City’s Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Ydanis Rodriguez on road safety in the city. This event aims to foster collaboration, share best practices and reinforce the importance of sustainable transport solutions in urban settings.
A silent pandemic
Every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities claims the lives of 1.19 million people, leaving countless others with severe injuries. This silent pandemic overwhelmingly affects developing nations, where over 90% of the road traffic fatalities occur. Furthermore, road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
Hitting the road in the USA
In the US, road crashes are the second highest cause of accidental death, after firearms. According to the World Health Organization (2021), the US fatality rate is estimated at 14 per 100,000 people, while that of Europe is 6.5 per 100,000 people. Pedestrian deaths in the US rose by more than 40% from 2010 to 2018, which is over twice the pace of any other OECD country.
#MakeASafetyStatement
The UN-JCDecaux campaign #MakeASafetyStatement, supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), seeks to reduce risk factors, especially in urban areas, enabling people to walk, live, and enjoy their environment safely. Seventeen global celebrities along with dozens of national ones have joined forces to advocate for simple and effective road safety rules including wearing a seat belt, driving slowly, wearing a helmet, not texting and driving, not driving under the influence or while tired, and respecting pedestrians.
Participating celebrities in the campaign include Football legend Didier Drogba, F1 Driver Charles Leclerc, Oscar-winning actress and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Michelle Yeoh, Tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Singer and Musician Kylie Minogue, Motorcycle racer Marc Marquez, Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Actor Patrick Dempsey, Musician and Inspirational leader Youssou N’Dour, Actress Julie Gayet, Actor Michael Fassbender, Football icon Ousmane Dembélé, Double Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon, Judo Champion Teddy Riner, Racing Driver Mick Schumacher and Actor Jean Reno.
The Marrakesh Declaration
On 19 February 2025Ministers from 100 countries endorsed the Marrakesh Declaration that calls on governments to make road safety a political priority, ensure sustained funding and advance actions to achieve the goal of halving road deaths by 2030 as set out in the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Marrakesh Declaration calls for safety to be a primary concern in all road infrastructure planning and related policies, laws and regulations. It calls for greater coordination across government ministries, including health, transport and the environment. It urges governments to adopt policies and infrastructure that advance safe, green and equitable mobility, such as walking, cycling and public transport. It recognizes that safe and accessible mobility drives equitable economic growth across society.
The declaration also calls for more cross-border knowledge-sharing, technical support and technology transfer, and to advance research into emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights the need to work with civil society and academia.
https://unece.org/media/press/400130