India’s battle against soaring road deaths gained global momentum as Jean Todt, UN Road Safety Envoy, launched ‘Make a Safety Statement’ in New Delhi. High-profile figures will showcase practical safety tips on digital billboards and posters in four metros: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, with social media fueling the fire.
The campaign spotlights why leaders must champion road safety, fostering a culture of shared responsibility.
Joining the fray is Sachin Tendulkar, who released a compelling video as a Global Champion alongside other stars, leveraging fame for safer roads.
“A silent pandemic ravages lives,” Todt declared, noting thousands of annual Indian fatalities amid exploding mobility. Collective strides can transform this trajectory, shielding communities from grief.
Eleven months after the Marrakesh pledge to slash road deaths 50% by 2030, India confronts 153,972 yearly losses and a 15.4 rate per 100,000, hitting pedestrians, cyclists, and bikers hardest.
In tandem, the UNRSF funds ‘Sustainable Financing for Road Safety in India,’ technically aided by WHO, UNICEF, UNESCAP. It teams with the UN Resident Coordinator and states—Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam—to forge funding models, empower action plans, and minimize deaths/injuries.
This comprehensive assault on road risks blends visibility with viability. As India accelerates into a mobile future, these efforts pave the way for a safer, more secure nation on the move.