[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/a> shows a promising 5% reduction in global road deaths between 2010 and 2021. This marks the first decrease since the Global Status Report on Road Safety series began, and comes despite rapid population and vehicle growth.<\/p>\n This progress coincides with the increasing adoption of iRAP’s free infrastructure safety tools and methodology. By 2021, over 100 countries had used iRAP to Star Rate 1.3 million kilometres of roads, supporting over $80 billion in road projects.<\/p>\n However, despite these positive trends, road deaths remain alarmingly high. An estimated 1.19 million people die on the world’s roads each year, making it the leading cause of death for young people.<\/p>\n “While we are cautiously optimistic, we are still a long way from achieving the ambitious targets of a 50% reduction in road deaths and injuries by 2030,” said Rob McInerney, Chief Executive Officer of iRAP. “Sustained efforts and greater investment in proven programs are crucial to achieving these goals.”<\/p>\n \u201cThe Global Plan for the Decade of Action<\/a> and Global Road Safety Performance Targets<\/a> give us a clear framework for effective action,\u201d he said. \u201cIf every country can ensure that most travel occurs on roads rated 3-stars or better, millions of deaths and injuries would be prevented every year.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe large growth in road deaths in Africa is especially concerning and highlights the need for partnerships between countries and the international community to accelerate the uptake of proven initiatives such as the Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure<\/a>,\u201d Mr McInerney said.<\/p>\n The report also highlights the growing number of bicyclist (up 20%) and pedestrian (up 3%) deaths. Additionally, deaths involving e-scooters, e-bikes, and other personal mobility devices now account for 3% of total fatalities.<\/p>\n “With urbanization on the rise, ensuring safe streets and speeds is critical for promoting walking and cycling,” Mr McInerney said. “We are working with partners across the globe to scale up initiatives like CycleRAP<\/a> and Star Ratings for Schools<\/a> to support safer infrastructure for all.”<\/p>\n Data from the iRAP Safety Insights Explorer<\/a> reveals the perilous state of many roads, particularly for vulnerable users:<\/p>\n “We have seen incredible reductions in deaths and injuries through infrastructure improvements around the world,” Mr McInerney said. “We need to replicate these successes on a larger scale to address the enormous burden of road crashes.”<\/p>\n \u201cWith more than $800 billion invested in road infrastructure globally, it is imperative that every dollar spent contributes to safe journeys for all road users. Tools such as Star Ratings for Design (SR4D)<\/a> mean we can build safety into every road investment, whether it\u2019s for a new road, a road upgrade road or for maintenance,\u201d Mr McInerney said.<\/p>\n The report emphasizes the need for systematic safety inspections of all roads. Currently, only 51 countries have laws requiring such inspections.<\/p>\n “Through the AiRAP initiative<\/a>, we are harnessing emerging data sources and technology to accelerate large-scale safety inspections using the iRAP methodology worldwide,” Mr McInerney said. “Advances in AI, machine learning, and other technologies make this a rapidly achievable goal.”<\/p>\n Looking Ahead: Partnerships for 2030 Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n In the second Decade of Action for Road Safety, iRAP’s strategy<\/a> focuses on building partnerships to achieve the UN Global Road Safety Performance Targets. These targets aim for all new roads to be built to a 3-star standard and at least 75% of existing roads to be upgraded to the equivalent of 3-star or better for all users. Achieving these targets has the potential to save over 450,000 lives annually and prevent over 100 million deaths and injuries over the life of the upgrades.<\/p>\n Key points<\/strong><\/p>\n For more information:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/irap.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GBOTKgdWgAADhmB.jpg” title_text=”GBOTKgdWgAADhmB” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/irap.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/GBUAPeYWQAEg7q_.jpg” title_text=”GBUAPeYWQAEg7q_” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows a promising 5% reduction in global road deaths between 2010 and 2021. This marks the first decrease since the Global […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":68811,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO)<\/a> shows a promising 5% reduction in global road deaths between 2010 and 2021. This marks the first decrease since the Global Status Report on Road Safety series began, and comes despite rapid population and vehicle growth.<\/p> This progress coincides with the increasing adoption of iRAP's free infrastructure safety tools and methodology. By 2021, over 100 countries have used iRAP to Star Rate 1.3 million kilometres of roads, supporting over $80 billion in road projects.<\/p> However, despite these positive trends, road deaths remain alarmingly high. An estimated 1.19 million people die on the world's roads each year, making it the leading cause of death for young people.<\/p> \"While we are cautiously optimistic, we are still a long way from achieving the ambitious targets of a 50% reduction in road deaths and injuries by 2030,\" said Rob McInerney, Chief Executive Officer of iRAP. \"Sustained efforts and greater investment in proven programs are crucial to achieving these goals.\"<\/p> \u201cThe Global Plan for the Decade of Action<\/a> and Global Road Safety Performance Targets<\/a> give us a clear framework for effective action,\u201d he said. \u201cIf every country can ensure that most travel occurs on roads rated 3-stars or better, millions of deaths and injuries would be prevented every year.\u201d<\/p> \u201cThe large growth in road deaths in Africa is especially concerning and highlights the need for partnerships between countries and the international community to accelerate the uptake of proven initiatives such as the Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure<\/a>,\u201d Mr McInerney said.<\/p> The report also highlights the growing number of bicyclist (up 20%) and pedestrian (up 3%) deaths. Additionally, deaths involving e-scooters, e-bikes, and other personal mobility devices now account for 3% of total fatalities.<\/p> \"With urbanization on the rise, ensuring safe streets and speeds is critical for promoting walking and cycling,\" Mr McInerney said. \"We are working with partners across the globe to scale up initiatives like CycleRAP<\/a> and Star Ratings for Schools<\/a> to support safer infrastructure for all.\"<\/p> Data from the iRAP Safety Insights Explorer<\/a> reveals the perilous state of many roads, particularly for vulnerable users:<\/p> \"We have seen incredible reductions in deaths and injuries through infrastructure improvements around the world,\" Mr McInerney said. \"We need to replicate these successes on a larger scale to address the enormous burden of road crashes.\"<\/p> \u201cWith more than $800 billion invested in road infrastructure globally, it is imperative that every dollar spent contributes to safe journeys for all road users. Tools such as Star Ratings for Design (SR4D)<\/a> mean we can build safety into every road investment, whether it\u2019s for a new road, a road upgrade road or for maintenance,\u201d Mr McInerney said.<\/p> The report emphasizes the need for systematic safety inspections of all roads. Currently, only 51 countries have laws requiring such inspections.<\/p> \"Through the AiRAP initiative<\/a>, we are harnessing emerging data sources and technology to accelerate large-scale safety inspections using the iRAP methodology worldwide,\" Mr McInerney said. \"Advances in AI, machine learning, and other technologies make this a rapidly achievable goal.\"<\/p> Looking Ahead: Partnerships for 2030 Impact<\/strong><\/p> In the second Decade of Action for Road Safety, iRAP's strategy<\/a> focuses on building partnerships to achieve the UN Global Road Safety Performance Targets. These targets aim for all new roads to be built to a 3-star standard and at least 75% of existing roads to be upgraded to the equivalent of 3-star or better for all users. Achieving these targets has the potential to save over 450,000 lives annually and prevent over 100 million deaths and injuries over the life of the upgrades.<\/p> Key points<\/strong><\/p> For more information:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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