Why Road Safety

Why Road Safety?

There is a preventable epidemic on our roads, killing our next generation and causing life-long disabilities such as paralysis, serious head injury and amputation. Road crashes are the biggest global killer of people aged 5 to 29; 1.35 million deaths a year.

The enormous economic burden of the epidemic, in medical, social and other costs, outweighs the cost of the solutions. It is unacceptable and unethical to let it continue, and it is the duty of every government to fix it, now. It is also everyone’s duty, from the smallest community to the largest corporation, to call on governments for the changes we need, where we live, now, while also being part of the solution, doing everything we can to drive safer vehicles, be safer drivers, drive less or not at all, and influence and manage the choices of others too. We must work together to stop the carnage.

2018- Uhuru Park Nairobi: Marking the UN World day of remembrance for road traffic victims

Contributes To Sustainable Development​

In September 2015, the world established its global development agenda for the following 15 years, introducing the Global Goals. For the first time, these goals encompass two road safety targets:

  • Target 3.6 – To halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030.
  • Target 11.2 – By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.

 

In 2020, global ministers convened at the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to evaluate the road safety targets within the Global Goals. During this conference, heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the 50by30 target. With the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021 – 2030, we have another decade to halve the number of road-related deaths and injuries around the world. Pamoja Road Safety is calling for real action to achieve this goal.

 

Causes of Crashes

Most deaths and injuries on today’s roads are caused by unsafe driver behaviour. Although it does happen, it is much rarer for something to go wrong with a vehicle.Drivers cause deaths and injuries when we fail to predict, see, or react to hazards.We do this when:

  • Driving too fast for the time we need to maintain control of our vehicles, think, slow and stop;
  • Maneuvering when it isn’t safe, such as when overtaking, pulling out at a junction or reversing.

Psychologists have found that driving safely, all the time, is a challenge for normal people.  We sometimes fail to predict, see or react to hazards because we:

The Safe System Approach To Road Safety

The Safe System approach is a way of thinking about road safety that recognises that people make mistakes, and that the road environment can be unforgiving. Death and serious injuries on our roads are unacceptable and it is our shared responsibility to ensure safety on our roads. This requires a systemic approach to protect road users even if one part of the system fails and seeks to minimize the risk of death or serious injury by addressing the following five key components:

Safe Roads and Roadsides

Roads and roadsides are designed to reduce the risk of crashes and minimize the severity of any crashes that do occur. This can involve measures such as separating different types of traffic, providing safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, and reducing speed limits.

Safe Vehicles

Vehicles are designed to protect occupants and other road users in the event of a crash. This can involve measures such as electronic stability control, advanced braking systems, and side impact protection.

Safe Speeds

Speed limits are set to ensure that vehicles are traveling at safe speeds for the road environment. This can involve measures such as speed cameras, road markings, and road design.

Safe Road Users

Road users are educated and encouraged to behave safely on the road. This can involve measures such as driver education and training, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement of traffic laws.

Post-Crash Response

It is important to respond quickly and effectively to crashes to minimise the harm caused. This can involve measures such as providing emergency medical care, clearing the road quickly, and investigating the causes of the crash to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Call For Community Champions

PRSI will partner with people who take action in their communities by highlighting and celebrating their work in our ‘Meet Our Champions’ shout out in our website.

We call upon Partners willing to support community activities by way of issuing certificates of recognition or sponsoring other forms of recognition to road safety champions. We are here to inspire action and help people be community champions for safe and healthy mobility. Work with family and friends to join or set up a campaign locally to improve your streets. We can all be part of the solution and we will work with anyone who shares our vision and values. Share your story so that others can get inspiration from it.

Our Partners