UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Launched Today

UN Decade of Action for Road Safety Launched Today

A pioneering campaign by the United Nations to put a halt to the horrific carnage experienced daily on roads has gained the support of police across Australia and New Zealand, says Jon White, CEO of ANZPAA, the agency that serves Police Commissioners in both countries.

The Police Commissioners are putting their united support behind the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which is being launched today. The Decade of Action calls for international programs to make roads and vehicles safer, improve road user behavior and enhance emergency services.

To show their support for the Decade of Action, the Police Commissioners launched Operation Crossroads last Easter in order to raise awareness of road safety issues, in particular drink/drug driving, speeding, traffic infringements and licence offences.

Each year nearly 1.3 million people die worldwide as a result of a road traffic collision — more than 3000 deaths each day. Road accidents kill on average 1,500 people every year in Australia and on average 400 a year in New Zealand. Road traffic injuries are among the three leading causes of death for people between 5 and 44 years of age.

Mr White says that many of the horrific injuries and death sustained on our roads could easily have been avoided.

“Every day, around the world, 3,500 people leave home and never return because they have been violently killed in a road accident. Death, injury and disabilities resulting from accidents cause considerable pain and suffering for individuals, families and communities – as well as other road users, emergency service providers and health workers,” Mr White says.

The Decade of Action recognises the importance of everyone taking responsibility for how we use our roads. The goal is to stabilise and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the world by 2020. Millions of deaths could potentially be prevented as a result.

“We all accept that human beings are fallible and crashes will occur. However the extent of injury (or deaths) sustained can be reduced, when we accept, comply and share the responsibility for using our roads safely,” says Mr White.

The Decade of Action for Road Safety will officially be launched today, Wednesday 11 May 2011. A truly global event, national and local launches in every time zone of the world will combine with one message: it is Time for Action.

www.anzpaa.org.au

ENDS

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