In a bold step to combat India’s alarming road fatality rates, UN Special Envoy Jean Todt kicked off the ‘Make a Safety Statement’ campaign in New Delhi. Celebrities and influencers will promote simple, life-saving road habits through eye-catching visuals across major urban centers.
Expect to see striking digital displays and posters in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, alongside a robust social media push. The core message? Sector leaders must step up to make road safety a collective priority.
Sachin Tendulkar, the Master Blaster, lent his star power with a dedicated video, aligning with fellow sporting champions in the Global Champions initiative. His endorsement highlights how influential voices can shift behaviors.
Todt painted a stark picture: Road crashes are a stealthy epidemic, devastating Indian families yearly with thousands of losses. Amid booming transportation, unified efforts hold the key to slashing victim numbers significantly.
Timed 11 months post-Marrakesh Declaration—aiming for a 50% cut in global road deaths by 2030—this visit spotlights India’s pivotal role. The nation grapples with 153,972 annual deaths, disproportionately affecting vulnerable road users like walkers, bikers, and two-wheeler riders.
Parallel to the awareness drive, a new UNRSF-backed project launches with WHO, UNICEF, and UNESCAP’s expertise. ‘Sustainable Financing for Road Safety in India’ collaborates with Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the UN Resident Coordinator.
Key goals include crafting enduring funding mechanisms, bolstering action plan execution, and targeting reductions in fatalities and injuries. This holistic approach signals a committed push toward resilient road safety systems nationwide.
With rising vehicle numbers and urban expansion, India’s embrace of such global strategies could redefine safer mobility for millions.