Road accidents becoming 'silent epidemic': UN envoy
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Stressing the need for collective and concerted efforts to reduce road deaths around the world, Jean Todd, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, said road accidents have quietly become an epidemic.
Todd said that in rapidly developing countries like India, this problem is plunging thousands of families into untimely mourning every year.
On this occasion, Todd launched a special campaign to raise awareness about road safety. Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar released a video related to the campaign and appealed to the people to follow traffic rules.
Road accidents becoming 'silent epidemic': UN envoy
In the press conference, Todd said that the road network and the number of vehicles in India are increasing rapidly. In such a situation, measures like better road design, strict enforcement and prompt medical assistance after an accident can significantly reduce the number of deaths.
Todd's visit is taking place almost 11 months after the 'Marrakesh Declaration' in Marrakesh. In this declaration, UN member countries have set a target to intensify efforts under the second decade of action (2021-2030) for road safety and halve the number of deaths in accidents by 2030.
Road accidents remain a major public health challenge in India. According to government data, every year about 1.5 lakh people die in road accidents in the country. The death rate is more than 15 per 1 lakh population.
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