Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and as many as 50 million injured each year. They are a leading killer of young people aged 5-29. Globally, more than one of every four deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists.
The eighth UN Global Road Safety Week (May 12-18) offers an opportunity to spur action at national and local levels to make walking and cycling safe, by highlighting concrete and specific interventions that can be taken by different stakeholders — governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses and schools.
These actions will help promote and facilitate a shift to walking and cycling, which are more healthy, green, sustainable and economically advantageous modes of commuting. This will also contribute, directly and indirectly, to the attainment of many Sustainable Development Goals.