This year, 1.35 million people will die as a result of road traffic crashes – the leading cause of death for children and adults aged 5-29 years. Each death is a preventable tragedy. 

“On World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims we recognize the urgent need to improve road safety globally to save the lives of millions from needless injuries and deaths every year. These deaths are entirely preventable, but progress varies significantly between the different regions and countries of the world.

“A proven public health approach points the way forward: enacting and enforcing legislation on key risk factors including speed, drink driving; supporting the proper use of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts and child restraints; embracing smart urban design; changing road user behavior through pairing impactful media campaigns with increased enforcement. 

“We have shown this approach can work across the world. Working in 10 global cities through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), Vital Strategies has helped governments turn evidence into action. Speeding rates in Bogotá, Colombia have fallen from 39% in 2015 to 18% in 2018. Drink driving rates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have fallen from 9.7% in 2015 to 2.4% in 2018. We commend the effort of a number of cities that have seen success in reducing road traffic deaths over the last few years. 

“No death on the road is acceptable. This World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims, we honor the lives of those lost, and in their memory, we affirm our commitment to ensure that every person around the world has access to the safe streets they deserve.”