The world is gearing up for the Second United Nations Global Road Safety Week taking place on 6-12 May 2013. The theme for the week is pedestrian safety and alongside events planned to call for safer pedestrian access globally, the Long Short Walk campaign, running now, is being coordinated around the world. To add to the contribution, YOURS, along with partners have launched the pledge counter.
As we know, every year 1.3 million people are killed on the world’s roads and road crashes are the #1 cause of death for young people. 3000 people are dying every day – and many more injured – for simple, preventable reasons such as not having access to crosswalks or helmets or safe vehicles or timely medical care after a crash. Road deaths are surpassing the number of deaths from TB and malaria and, within 20 years, more people will die on the roads than will die of HIV/AIDS. We have many of the answers to prevent this deadly trajectory and save millions of lives, but we must act together and help make road safety an urgent priority around the world, especially during the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.
About My Long Short Walk:
The Long Short Walk – a World Walk for Road Safety – is an initiative of the Zenani Campaign, in memory of 13-year old Zenani Mandela, Nelson’s Mandela’s great-granddaughter who was killed in a crash. The Long Short Walk can raise awareness and lead to greater safety for everyone. Take a walk and/or ride to promote road safety for all! See our FAQ for more.
The Pledge Counter element of the walk is coordinated by global partners.
How to Participate:
1) Organize and register a walk or ride to take place ON or BEFORE Global Road Safety Week, May 6-12, 2013.
Registering your walk shows the world that we are walking for safer roads everywhere. As you will be aware, there are many benefits to walking. Everybody travels to get to their destinations, whether to school, to work, to the shops or even travel just for the sake of walking. Unfortunately, some people’s walks are incredibly unsafe; unsafe footpaths, bad lighting and poor road discipline, The Long Short Walk wants to capture these images to illustrate the importance of a ‘Safe Walking’ and to prioritize this part of a new global Sustainable Development Goal. Implementing pedestrian safety measures is cost effective, and many of the solutions are simple.
2) Take photos and videos to tell us why you are walking or riding. Use our signboards or make your own “I’m walking/riding for…” in YOURS’ special contest, click the banner below:
Safe roads for all should be an international priority and should be a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal!