Rohit Shishodia
The United Nations has revealed that road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of children and youngsters aged 5-29 years. The data highlights that despite progress on road safety measures, road traffic deaths continue to increase, with an annual 1.35 million fatalities.

Worldwide, pedestrians and cyclists account for 26% and motorcycle riders and passengers account for 28% of all road traffic deaths. Low-income countries have more risk of road traffic deaths as compared to high-income countries, with rates highest in Africa (26.6 per 100 000 population) and lowest in Europe (9.3 per 100 000 population).

To prevent road traffic casualties in UN Global Road Safety Week from May 6, to May 12, 2019, the UN has planned various activities including assessing journeys and generating concrete demands from policy makers in more than 50 countries.

The other measures include hosting global or national policy like the International Roundtable ‘Road Safety and the Sustainable Development Goals –What Target for 2030?

Dr Etienne Krug, Director, Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention, WHO, said that road traffic deaths and injuries are not an acceptable price to pay for mobility.

Dr Krug added that there is no excuse for inaction. This is a problem that can be tackled by proven solutions. Governments and their partners must demonstrate leadership and fasten action to save lives by implementing what works.