The Instituto Nacional de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre – Int or National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation – International joined Road Safety Week in the Dominican Republic by hosting a conversation on road safety, specifically on Las Carreras Ilegales en Motocicletas or Illegal Racing on Motorcycles.
The intervention was addressed mostly to young men who are or have been involved in motorcycle races which put road users’ lives at risk. “It’s necessary to raise awareness among them and make them part of the change in road safety and mobility areas.”
The online conversation was held last week, 17 November, where road safety leaders came together for Semana de la Seguridad
Vial. Representatives from the USAID Project, Young Alert, National School of Education, and YOURS – Youth for Road Safety.
The Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety was represented by Youth Advisory Board Member, Esteban Paredes.
During his discussion, Esteban talked about the efforts of YOURS to empower youth and involving them in meaningful participation and gave particular attention to the work YOURS has been doing with youth in South America.
Esteban also raised the necessity of a paradigm shift, pointing out that a new perspective that involves youth will be more effective.
“We need a paradigm shift. Away from the traditional approach where we blame ‘youth’, towards a system approach that puts young road users in the centre. We need to see youth as assets for development.”
Esteban talked about the 2nd World Youth Assembly and how youth intervention was key in creating the Global Youth Statement for Road Safety and the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety. He emphasized how the Coalition is uniting young people from all over the world so that they are supported in their efforts in road safety and sustainable mobility.
He also mentioned programs in Latin America, such as Fundacion Cavat and Roliev, that can help young people get involved with road safety efforts.
If you want to join the road safety movement, become a member of the Coalition, or check out the different road safety programs in your area!