|
|
|
|
|
|
The Fourth UN Global Road Safety Week concluded on 14 May 2017 after a busy week of activities around the world. In all, WHO reported that more than 1000 events were registered in over 125 countries. This is the highest number of events of any UNGRSW.
Alliance members ran a wide range of activities that engaged schools, governments, the police, the emergency services, and motorists. You can see a selection of member photos and features our website HERE along with details of the official kickoff event, held during our Global Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Numerous members shared their tweets and Facebook posts with us and we took part in a Twitter chat hosted by the FIA Foundation. Click HERE to see our Twitter feed and HERE to see our Facebook page.
At the beginning of the week, we announced the winners of the Alliance UNGRSW photo contest. Five photos were selected in the categories Speed Management, Slow Down, and NGOs at Work. Click HERE to see the press release and winning photos.
|
|
|
|
In Mozambique, speeding drivers visibly shook as they explained themselves to a panel of children in a kids’ court set up for the #SlowDown campaign. Eight children from a primary school next to a busy road had the opportunity to be the judges in the court, which was set up by two Alliance members, Amend Mozambique and Amviro, in collaboration with the Mozambique traffic police. Drivers who were stopped by the police outside the school for speeding or other offenses were fined and then invited to take part in the kids’ court where they were questioned by the children and asked to take the pledge to slow down.
The kids’ court created a wider debate: Is it the drivers or lack of infrastructure that are the problem? As Texel Cossa, program manager at Amend, says: “While drivers and the authorities continue pointing fingers at each other, and people vandalize road signs, more children are lost on our dangerous roads. Something has to be done and rather sooner than later. This young generation depends on us.” Read more HERE.
|
|
|
|
On 19 May 2017, a new law in the Philippines prohibiting children from traveling on motorcycles without wearing a helmet finally came into force. It had been almost two years since President Benigno Aquino III signed the law, so this day has been long awaited. In a recent study in hospitals in the Philippines, only 4% of injured motorcycle riders were wearing a helmet. Children have a higher probability of suffering serious injury than adults because their brains and skulls have not reached maturity, making them more vulnerable. The new law therefore has huge potential to save lives.
Alliance member Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines has been in the forefront of the push for mandatory helmet use for children since 2014. Their action has been led by Amy Rolloque, Program Officer and a 2016 Alliance Advocate, and Jesus de la Fuente, Executive Director. They and their team have advocated tirelessly, advising the national Senate on the bill and constantly following up with the Land Transport Office and Department of Transport to ensure implementation of the law. They have also taken practical action, distributing 900 children’s helmets since last August. The enactment of the law is a huge success, and we congratulate Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines on their role in ensuring that every child wears a helmet. Read more HERE.
|
|
|
RESEARCH: HOW SAFE ARE CHILDREN ON MOTORCYCLES?
80% of motorcyclists traveling with children on their motorcycles do not consider them to be at risk. This was a key finding of a new study from Alliance member Fundación Gonzalo Rodriguez conducted in 43 cities in six Latin American countries. In this region, road crashes are the primary cause of death among children aged 5–14 years. Motorcycles are responsible for half of the deaths in road crashes. Statistics on child helmet use vary considerably across the countries studied, but in some cities in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Paraguay,less than 10% of 1–12 year olds wear helmets on motorcycles, and many are incorrectly used or unapproved helmets.
The study looked at the number of children riding on motorcycles, helmet use and other safety measures, the position of the child on the motorcycle and knowledge of regulations.
The study makes a number of recommendations on improving child motorcycle safety and regulation in the region and describes how motorcycle users could be educated about the risks. Read more HERE.
|
|
|
|
Engineering company Fireseeds North Infrastructure is offering 100 free video-based Safe Systems speed studies around the world to mark UN Global Road Safety Week.
In this project, Fireseeds North Infrastructure will evaluate the speed profiles of vehicles turning at signalized intersections to quantify pedestrian safety risks. It will do this using its automated video-based analytics software. To find out more, including how to participate, click HERE.
|
|
|
|
WHO has commissioned a literature review on bicycle safety. If you know of published or unpublished studies undertaken in low or middle income countries that address bicyclists and focus on fatality and injury reduction or interventions, please send them to admin@roadsafetyngos.org and Gayle Di Pietro at gayle.dipietro33@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
The Alliance is excited to welcome two new members that joined in April.
Read more about our new members HERE, and please stop by their member profiles on the Alliance’s website to learn more about the important work they do to promote safer roads and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities around the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
