The World Health Organization through the UN Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) has announced the dates for the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week (UNGRW), from the 15th to the 21st of May 2023. This year’s theme, #RethinkMobility focuses on the importance of sustainable transport as a solution to SDG Target 3.6: halving the number of road-related deaths and injuries by 2030.
We published some of the main details for UNGRSW here:
Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with young people being the most affected. It kills around 1.35 people leaving another 50 million injured every year. Cyclists and pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 1 of every 4 road-related deaths.
Last 2021, the WHO launched the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 to guide stakeholders on how to best support one another to meet the targets in the Decade of Action 2021-2030. The Plan also highlights how road traffic crashes can be prevented by addressing issues around the whole transport system which would result in taking action to ensure safer roads, safer vehicles, better road user behavior, and improved emergency care.
The 7th UNGRSW week focuses on sustainable transport with a particular focus on the need to shift to walking, cycling, and using public transport as alternative modes of mobility. “Road safety is both a prerequisite for and an outcome to a shift in mobility and transport.”
The week has 5 key messages; (1) there is a desperate need for governments and their partners to #RethinkMobility, (2) safety must be at the core of efforts to reimagine how we move in the world, (3) to ensure safety, networks must be designed with the most vulnerable/at risk in mind, (4) safe walking and cycling can contribute to making people healthier, cities more sustainable, and societies equitable, and (5) safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable public transport is a solution to many of societies’ ills.
The WHO now invites all road safety and sustainable mobility partners to mark the 7th Global UN Road Safety Week by organizing events and activities and sharing messages and materials on social media with the hashtags; #RethinkMobility, #StreetsforLife, and #RoadSafety.