The United Nations has declared the years 2021 to 2030 as the new Decade of Action for Road Safety. The declaration reaffirms the UN’s commitment to work tirelessly to implement the new agenda by the year 2030 referencing Resolution 70/1 entitled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
The first Decade of Action was proclaimed in March 2010. It reported that road traffic crashes are a major public health threat, claiming 1.3 million lives every year and injuring about 20 to 50 million people more.
Youth are the most affected with a large proportion of the victims aged 15-29 years old. Youth living in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are also more vulnerable to the dangers of road crashes with a recorded 90% of the total road crashes.
The action plan sought to guide road safety efforts at both national and local levels. The document sought to save 5 million lives from death, 50 million people from serious injury, and 5 Trillion USD of funds within the decade.
Moving Forward
The UN recognizes that target 3.6 of SDG 3, which was to halve the number of road-related deaths and injuries by the year 2020, was not met. It does acknowledge that progress toward target 3.6 and other road-related goals can be achieved through stronger national leadership, global cooperation, implementation of evidence-based strategies, and engagement with relevant stakeholders such as youth.
The UN commends global efforts geared toward safer roads and sustainability. Member states have made great efforts in adopting comprehensive legislation which mandates road safety measures such as the use of seatbelts, the use of helmets, penalizes drunk and drugged driving, and enhances post-crash efforts.
The UN System implements and monitors various aspects of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action and supports efforts to implement road safety projects and programs. Member states that have been working on road safety efforts are encouraged to continue whereas member states who have not made the commitment are encouraged to join and become contracting parties to the UN as instruments for road safety.
Youth and Road Safety
We understand that youth play a vital role in the road safety revolution. As the most affected sector, youth need to be given a place at the decision-making table for road safety.
Youth for Road Safety – YOURS and the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety work with youth to explore opportunities and resources to become leaders and activists in the road safety movement.
The Global Youth Statement for Road Safety, created last February 2020 during the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety, lists the demands and the commitments of the youth for safer roads and sustainable mobility. With youth from around the world ready and willing to take action for road safety, we are ready to commit to the new Decade of Action.
If you’re interested in joining the road safety revolution, join the Global Youth Coalition today! Register at